PART III.

Moyses lawe forbood it tho, That preestes shuld no lordshippes welde, Christes gospel biddeth also Thát they shuld no lordship helde; Ne Christes apostels were never so bold 705 No such lordshippes to +hem enbrace; But smeren hir sheep and kepe hir fold; God amende hem for his grace!

For they ne ben but countrefet, Men may knowe hem by hir fruit; 710 Hir gretnesse maketh hem god foryet, And take his mekenesse in dispyt. And they were pore and had but lyte, They nolde nat demen after the face, But norishe hir sheep, and hem nat byte; 715 God amende hem for his grace!"

GRIFON. "What canst thou preche ayenst chanons Thát men clepen seculere?" PELICAN. "They ben curates of many towns, On erthë they have greet powére. 720 They han greet prebendes and dere, Some two or three, and some [han] mo, A personage to ben a playing-fere, And yet they serve the king also;

And let to fermë all that fare 725 To whom that woll most give therfore; Some woll spende, and some woll spare, And some woll laye it up in store. A cure of soule[s] they care nat for, Só they mowë money take; 730 Whether hir soules be wonne or lore, Hir profits they woll nat forsake.

They have a gedering procuratour That can the pore people enplede, And robben hem as a ravinour, 735 And to his lord the money lede; And cacche of quicke and eke of dede, And richen him and his lord eke, And to robbe the pore can give good rede Of olde and yonge, of hole and seke. 740

Therwith they purchase hem lay-fee In londë, there hem lyketh best, And builde +als brode as a citè Both in the est, and eke in the west. To purchase thus they ben ful prest, 745 But on the pore they woll nought spend, Ne no good give to goddes gest, Ne sende him some that all hath send.

By hir service such woll live, And trusse that other in-to tresour; 750 Though all hir parish dye unshrive, They woll nat give a rosë-flour. Hir lyf shuld be as a mirrour Bothe to lered and to leude also, And teche the people hir leel labour; 755 Such mister men ben all misgo.

Some of hem ben hardë nigges, And some of hem ben proude and gay; Some spende hir good upon [hir] gigges, And finden hem of greet aray. 760 Alas! what think these men to say That thus dispenden goddis good? At the dredfull domes day Such wrecches shul be worse than wood.

Some hir churc[h]es never ne sye, 765 Ne never o peny thider ne sende; Though the pore parishens for hunger dye, O peny on hem wil they nat spende. Have they receivinge of the rent, They reck never of the remënant; 770 Alas! the devill hath clene hem blent! Suche oon is Sathanas sojournant.

And usen horedom and harlotry, Covetysë, pompe, and pride, Slouthë, wrathe, and eke envy, 775 And sewen sinne by every syde. Alas! where thinkë such t'abyde? How woll they accomptes yeld? From hy god they mow hem nat hyde, Such willers wit is nat worth a neld. 780

They ben so roted in richesse, That Christes povert is foryete, Served with so many messe, Hem thinketh that manna is no mete. All is good that they mow get, 785 They wenë to live evermore; But, whan god at dome is set, Such tresour is a feble store.

Unneth mot they matins say, For counting and for court-holding; 790 And yet he jangleth as a jay, And understont him-self nothing. He woll serve bothe erl and king For his fynding and his fee, And hyde his tything and his offring; 795 This is a feble charitè.

Other they ben proude, or coveytous, Or they ben harde, or [els] hungry, Or they ben liberall or lecherous, Or els medlers with marchandry; 800 Or maynteyners of men with maistry, Or stewardes, countours, or pledours, And serve god in hypocrisy; Such preestes ben Christes fals traytours!

They ben false, they ben vengeable, 805 And begylen men in Christes name; They ben unstedfast and unstable; To tray hir lord, hem thinketh no shame. To servë god they ben full lame, Goddes theves, and falsly stele; 810 And falsly goddes word defame; In winning is hir worldes wele.

Antichrist these serven all; I pray thee, who may say [me] nay? With Antichrist such [folk] shull fall, 815 They folowen him in dede and fay; They servin him in riche array, To servë Christ such falsly fayn; Why, at the dredful domes day, Shull they not folowe him to payn? 820

That knowen hem-self, that they don ill Ayenst Christes commaundëment, And amende hem never ne will, But serve Sathan by one assent. Who sayth [the] sothe, he shal be shent, 825 Or speketh ayenst hir fals living; Who-so well liveth shal be brent, For such ben gretter than the king!

Pope, bishoppes, and cardinals, Chanons, persons, and vicaire, 830 In goddes service, I trow, ben fals, That sacramentës sellen here. And ben as proude as Lucifere; Ech man loke whether that I ly! Who-so speketh ayenst hir powére, 835 It shall be holden heresy.

Loke how many orders take Only of Christ, for his servyce, That the worldes goodes forsake? Who-so taketh orders +on other wyse, 840 I trow, that they shall sore agryse! For all the glose that they conne, All sewen not this [same] assyse; In yvell tyme they thus bigonne.

Loke how many among hem all 845 Holden not this hyë way! With Antichrist they shullen fall, For they wolden god betray. God amende hem, that best may! For many men they maken shende; 850 They weten well, the sothe I say, Bút the divell hath foule hem blend.

Some [up]on hir churches dwell, Apparailled porely, proude of port; The seven sacraments they don sell, 855 In cattel-cacching is hir comfort. Of ech mattér they wollen mell, And don hem wrong is hir disport; To afray the people they ben fell, And holde hem lower then doth the lord. 860

For the tythinge of a ducke, Or of an apple, or an ay, They make men swere upon a boke; Thus they foulen Christes fay. Such beren yvell heven-kay, 865 They mowen assoyl, they mowë shryve; With mennes wyves strongly play, With trewë tillers sturte and stryve

At the wrestling, and at the wake; And chefe chauntours at the nale; 870 Market-beters, and medling make, Hoppen and houten with heve and hale. At fayrë freshe, and at wynë stale, Dyne and drinke, and make debat; The seven sacraments set at sale; 875 How kepe such the kayes of heven-gat?

Mennes wyves they wollen holde; And though that they ben right sory, To speke they shull not be so bolde For sompning to the consistory; 880 And make hem say [with] mouth "I ly," Though they it sawë with hir y; His lemman holden openly, No man so hardy to axë why!

He wol have tythinge and offringe, 885 Maugrè who-so-ever it gruche; And twyës on the day woll singe; Goddes prestes nere none suche! He mot on hunting with dogge and bic[c]he, And blowen his horn, and cryën "hey!" 890 And sorcery usen as a wicche; Such kepen yvell Peters key.

Yet they mot have som stocke or stoon Gayly paynted, and proudly dight, To maken men [to] +leven upon, 895 And say, that it is full of might; About such, men sette up greet light, Other such stockes shull stand therby As darkë as it were midnight, For it may make no ma[i]stry. 900

That lewed people see it mow, Thou, Mary, worchest wonder thinges; About that, that men offren to now, Hongen broches, ouches, and ringes; The preest purchaseth the offringes, 905 But he nill offre to none image; Wo is the soule that he for singes, That precheth for suche a pilgrimage!

To men and women that ben pore, That ben [in] Christes own lykenesse, 910 Men shullen offre at hir dore That suffren honger and distresse; And to suche imáges offre lesse, That mow not felë thurst ne cold; The pore in spirit gan Christ blesse, 915 Therfore offreth to feble and old.

Buckelers brode, and swerdes longe, +Baudriks, with baselardes kene, Such toles about hir necke they honge; With Antichrist such preestes been; 920 Upon hir dedes it is well sene Whom they serven, whom they hono[u]ren; Antichristes they ben clene, And goddes goodes fa[l]sly deuouren.

Of scarlet and grene gay[ë] gownes, 925 That mot be shapë for the newe, To clippen and kissen counten in townes The damoseles that to the daunce sewe; Cutted clothes to sewe hir hewe, With longë pykes on hir shoon; 930 Our goddes gospell is not trewe, Eyther they serven the divell or noon!

Now ben prestes pokes so wyde, Men must enlarge the vestëment; The holy gospell they don hyde, 935 For they contrarien in rayment. Such preestes of Lucifer ben sent, Lyk conquerours they ben arayd, Proude pendaunts at hir ars y-pent, Falsly the truthe they han betrayd. 940

Shryft-silver suchë wollen aske is, And woll men crepë to the crouche; None of the sacraments, save askes, Without[ë] mede shall no man touche. On hir bishop their warant vouche, 945 That is lawe of the decrè; With mede and money thus they mouche, And +this, they sayn, is charitè!

In the middes of hir masse They nill have no man but for hyre, 950 And, full shortly, let forth passe; Such shull men finde[n] in ech shyre That personages for profite desyre, To live in lykinge and in lustes; I dar not sayn, _sans ose ieo dyre_, 955 That such ben Antichristes preestes.

Or they yef the bishops why, Or they mot ben in his servyce, And holden forth hir harlotry; Such prelats ben of feble empryse. 960 Of goddes grame such men agryse, For such mattérs that taken mede; How they excuse hem, and in what wyse, Me thinketh, they ought greetly drede.

They sayn, that it to no man longeth 965 To reprove +hem, though they erre; But falsely goddes good they fongeth, And therwith maynteyn wo and werre. Hir dedes shuld be as bright as sterre, Hir living, lewed mannes light; 970 They say, the popë may not erre, Nede must that passë mannes might.

Though a prest ly with his lemman al night, And tellen his felowe, and he him, He goth to massë anon-right, 975 And sayeth, he singeth out of sinne! His bryde abydeth him at his inne, And dighteth his dyner the mene whyle; He singeth his masse for he wolde winne, And so he weneth god begyle! 980

Hem thinketh long till they be met; And that they usen forth all the yere; Among the folk when he is set, He holdeth no man half his pere; Of the bishop he hath powére 985 To soyle men, or els they ben lore; His absolucion may make +hem skere; And wo is the soul that he singeth for!"

The Griffon began for to threte, And sayd, "of monkes canst thou ought?" 990 The Pellican sayd, "they ben full grete, And in this world moch wo hath wrought. Saynt Benet, that hir order brought, Ne made hem never on such manere; I trowe, it cam never in his thought 995 That they shulde use so greet powér[e];

That a man shulde a monk lord cal, Ne serve on kneës, as a king. He is as proud as prince in pall In mete, and drink, and [in] all thing; 1000 Some weren myter and ring, With double worsted well y-dight, With royall mete and riche drink, And rydeth on courser as a knight.

With hauke[s] and with houndes eke, 1005 With broches or ouches on his hode, Some say no masse in all a weke, Of deyntees is hir moste fode. With lordshippes and with bondmen This is a royall religioun; 1010 Saynt Benet made never none of hem To have lordship of man ne town.

Now they ben queynte and curious, With fyn cloth cladde, and served clene, Proude, angry, and envyous, 1015 Malyce is mochë that they mene. In cacching crafty and covetous, Lordly liven in greet lyking; This living is not religious According to Benet in his living. 1020

They ben clerkes, hir courtes they oversee, Hir pore tenaunts fully they flyte; The hyer that a man amerced be, The gladlyer they woll it wryte. This is fer from Christes povertè, 1025 For all with covetyse they endyte; On the pore they have no pitè, Ne never hem cherish, but ever hem byte.

And comunly suche ben comen Of pore people, and of hem begete, 1030 That this perfeccion han y-nomen; Hir +faders ryde not but on hir fete, And travaylen sore for that they ete, In povert liveth, yonge and old; Hir +faders suffreth drought and wete, 1035 Many hongry meles, thurst, and cold.

All this the monkes han forsake For Christes love and saynt Benet; To pryde and esë have hem take; This religio[u]n is yvell beset. 1040 Had they ben out of religioun, They must have honged at the plow, Threshing and dyking fro town to town With sory mete, and not half y-now.

Therfore they han this all forsake, 1045 And taken to riches, pryde, and ese; Full fewe for god woll monkes hem make, Litell is suche order for to prayse! Saynt Benet ordayned it not so, But bad hem be [ful] cherelich; 1050 In churlich maner live and go, Boystous in erth, and not lordlych.

They disclaunder saynt Benet, Therfore they have his holy curse; Saynt Benet with hem never met 1055 But-if they thought to robbe his purse! I can no more herof [now] tell, But they ben lykë tho before, And clenë serve the divell of hell, And ben his tresour and his store. 1060

And all suche other counterfaytours, Chanons, canons, and such disgysed, Ben goddes enemies and traytours, His true religion han foul dispysed. Of freres I have told before 1065 In a making of a 'Crede,' And yet I coud tell worse and more, But men wold werien it to rede!

As goddes goodnes no man tell might, Wryte ne speke, ne think in thought, 1070 So, hir falshed and hir unright May no man tell, that ever god wrought." The Gryffon sayd, "thou canst no good, Thou cam never of no gentill kind; Other, I trow, thou waxest wood, 1075 Or els thou hast [y-]lost thy mynd.

Shuld holy churchë have no heed? Who shuld be her governayl? Who shuld her rule, who shuld her reed, Who shuld her forthren, who shuld avayl? 1080 Ech man shall live by his travayl; Who best doth, shall have moste mede; With strength if men the churche assayl, With strength men must defende her nede.

And the pope were purely pore, 1085 Nedy, and nothing ne had, He shuld be driven from dore to dore; The wicked of him nold not be drad. Of such an heed men wold be sad, And sinfully liven as hem +list; 1090 With strength, amendes +shuld be made, With wepen, wolves from sheep be +wist.

If the pope and prelats wold So begge and bidde, bowe, and borowe, Holy churche shuld stand full cold, 1095 Hir servaunts sitte and soupë sorowe! And they were noughty, foule, and horowe, To worship god men woldë wlate; Bothe on even and on morowe Such harlotry men woldë hate. 1100

Therfore men of holy churche Shuld ben honest in all thing, Worshipfully goddes workes werche, So semeth it, to serve Christ hir king In honest and in clene clothing; 1105 With vessels of golde and clothes riche, To god honestly to make offring; To his lordship non is liche."

The Pellican caste an houge cry, And sayd, "alas! why sayest thou so? 1110 Christ is our heed that sitteth on hy, Heddes ne ought we have no mo. We ben his membres both also, And +fader he taught us to cal him als; Maysters be called defended he tho; 1115 All other maysters ben wicked and fals,

That taketh maystry in his name, Gostly, and for erthly good; Kinges and lordes shuld lordship han, And rule the people with myldë mode. 1120 Christ, for us that shedde his blood, Bad his preestes no maystership have, Ne carkë nat for cloth ne fode; From every mischef he will hem save.

Hir riche clothing shal be rightwysnesse, 1125 Hir tresour, trewë lyf shal be; Charitè shal be hir richesse, Hir lordship shal be unitè; Hope in god, hir honestè; Hir vessell, clenë conscience; 1130 Pore in spirit, and humilitè, Shal be holy churches defence."

"What," sayd the Griffon, "may thee greve That other folkes faren wele? What hast thou to donë with hir +leve? 1135 Thy falsheed ech man may fele. For thou canst no catell gete, But livest in londe, as a lorell, With glosing gettest thou thy mete; So fareth the devell that wonneth in hell. 1140

He wold that ech man ther shuld dwell, For he liveth in clene envy; So with the tales that thou doest tell Thou woldest other people distry, With your glose, and your heresy, 1145 For ye can live no better lyf, But clenë in hypocrisy, And bringest thee in wo and stryf.

And therwith have [ye] not to done, For ye ne have[n] here no cure; 1150 Ye serve the divell, +not god ne man, And he shall payë you your hyre. For ye woll farë well at feestes, And warm [be] clothed for the colde, Therfore ye glose goddes hestes, 1155 And begyle the people, yonge and olde.

And all the seven sacraments Ye speke ayenst, as ye were sly, Ayenst tythings with your entents, And on our lordes body falsly ly. 1160 All this ye don to live in ese, As who sayeth, ther ben non suche; And sayn, the pope is not worth a pese, To make the people ayen him gruche.

And this commeth in by fendes, 1165 To bringe the Christen in distaunce; For they wold that no man were frendes; Leve thy chattring, with mischaunce! If thou live well, what wilt thou more? Let other men live as hem list; 1170 Spende in good, or kepe in store; Other mennes conscience never thou nist.

Ye han no cure to answere for; What meddell ye, that han not to don? Let men live as they han don yore, 1175 For thou shalt answere for no +mon." The Pellican sayd, "Sir, nay, [nay], I dispysed not the pope, Ne no sacrament, soth to say; But speke in charitè and good hope. 1180

But I dispyse hir hyë pryde, Hir richesse, that shuld be pore in spryt; Hir wickednesse is knowe so wyde, They servë god in fals habyt; And turnen mekenesse into pryde, 1185 And lowlinesse into hy degrè, And goddes wordes turne and hyde; And that am I moved by charitè

To lettë men to livë so With all my conning and al my might, 1190 And to warne men of hir wo And to tell hem trouth and right. The sacraments be soulë-hele If they ben used in good use; Ayenst that speke I never a del, 1195 For then were I nothing wyse.

But they that use hem in mis manére, Or sette hem up to any sale, I trow, they shall abye hem dere; This is my reson, this is my tale. 1200 Who-so taketh hem unrightfulliche Ayenst the ten commaundëments, Or by glosë wrechedliche Selleth any of the sacraments,

I trow, they do the devell homage 1205 In that they weten they do wrong; And therto, I dar well wage, They serven Satan for al her song. To tythen and offren is hoolsom lyf, So it be don in dew manére; 1210 A man to houselin and to shryve, Wedding, and all the other in-fere,

So it be nother sold ne bought, Ne take ne give for covetyse; And it be so taken, it is nought; 1215 Who selleth hem so, may sore agryse. On our Lordes body I do not ly, I say soth, thorow trewë rede, His flesh and blood, through his mystry, Is there, in the forme of brede. 1220

How it is there, it nedeth not stryve, Whether it be subget or accident, But as Christ was, when he was on-lyve, So is he there, verament. If pope or cardinall live good lyve, 1225 As Christ commaunded in his gospell, +Ayenës that woll I not stryve; But, me thinketh, they live not well.

For if the pope lived as god bede, Pryde and hyghnesse he shuld dispyse, 1230 Richesse, covetyse, and crowne on hede, Mekenesse and povert he shulde use." The Gryffon sayd, he shulde abye-- "Thou shal[t] be brent in balefull fyre; And all thy secte I shall distrye, 1235 Ye shal be hanged by the swyre!

Ye shullen be hanged and to-drawe. Who giveth you levë for to preche, Or speke +agaynës goddes lawe, And the people thus falsly teche? 1240 Thou shalt be cursed with boke and bell, And dissevered from holy churche, And clene y-dampned into hell, Otherwyse but ye woll worche!"

The Pellican sayd, "that I ne drede; 1245 Your cursinge is of litell value; Of god I hope to have my mede, For it is falshed that ye shewe. For ye ben out of charitè And wilneth vengeaunce, as did Nero; 1250 To suffren I woll redy be; I drede not that thou canst do.

Christ bad ones suffre for his love, And so he taught all his servaunts; And but thou amend for his sake above, 1255 I drede not all thy mayntenaunce. For if I drede the worldes hate, Me thinketh, I were litell to prayse; I drede nothing your hye estat, Ne I drede not your disese. 1260

Wolde ye turne and leve your pryde, Your hyë port, and your richesse, Your cursing shuld not go so wyde; God bring you into rightwysnesse! For I drede not your tyranny, 1265 For nothing that ye can doon; To suffre I am all redy, Siker, I recke never how soon!"

The Griffon grinned as he were wood, And loked lovely as an owle! 1270 And swor, by cockes hertë blood, He wolde him terë, every doule! "Holy churche thou disclaundrest foule! For thy resons I woll thee all to-race; And make thy flesh to rote and moule; 1275 Losell, thou shalt have hardë grace!"

The Griffon flew forth on his way; The Pellican did sitte and weep; And to him-selfë he gan say, "God wolde that any of Christes sheep 1280 Had herd, and y-takë kepe Eche a word that here sayd was, And wolde it wryte and well it kepe! God wolde it were all, for his grace!"

PLOWMAN. I answerde, and sayd I wolde, 1285 If for my travayl any wold pay. PELICAN. He sayd, "yes; these that god han sold; For they han [greet] store of money!" PLOWMAN. I sayd, "tell me, and thou may, Why tellest thou mennës trespace?" 1290 PELICAN. He said, "to amende hem, in good fay, If god woll give me any grace.

For Christ him-selfe is lykned to me, That for his people dyed on rode; As fare I, right so fareth he, 1295 He fedeth his birdes with his blode. But these don yvell +ayenës good, And ben his foon under frendes face; I tolde hem how hir living stood; God amende hem, for his grace!" 1300

PLOWMAN. "What ayleth the Griffon, tell [me] why, That he holdeth on that other syde?" PELLICAN. "For they two ben [of kind], lykly, And with [lyk] kindes robben wyde. The foul betokeneth [evill] pryde, 1305 As Lucifer, that hygh +flowe was; And sith he did him in evell hyde, For he agilted goddes grace.

As bird [that] flyeth up in the ayr, And liveth by birdes that ben meke, 1310 So these be flowe up in dispayr, And shenden sely soules eke. The soules that ben in sinnes seke, He culleth hem; knele therfore, alas! For brybry goddes forbode breke, 1315 God amende it, for his grace!

The hinder part is a lyoun, A robber and a ravinere, That robbeth the people in erth a-down, And in erth holdeth non his pere; 1320 So fareth this foul, both fer and nere; With temporel strength they people chase, As a lyon proud in erthë here; God amende hem for hys grace!"

He flew forth with his winges twayn, 1325 All drouping, dased, and dull. But soone the Griffon cam agayn, Of his foules the erth was full; The Pellican he had cast to pull. So greet a nombre never seen ther was; 1330 What maner of foules, tellen I woll, If god woll give me of his grace.

With the Griffon comen foules fele, Ravins, rokes, crowes, and pye, Gray foules, agadred wele, 1335 Y-gurd, above they woldë hye. Gledes and bosardes weren hem by; Whyt molles and puttockes token hir place; And lapwinges, that wel conneth ly, This felowship han for-gerd hir grace. 1340

Longe the Pellican was out, But at [the] laste he cometh agayn; And brought with him the Phenix stout. The Griffon wolde have flowe full fayn; His foules, that flewen as thycke as rayn, 1345 The Phenix tho began hem chace; To fly from him it was in vayn, For he did vengeaunce and no grace.

He slew hem down without mercy, Ther astartë neyther free ne thrall; 1350 On him they cast a rufull cry When the Griffon down was fall. He beet hem not, but slew hem all; Whither he hem drove, no man may trace; Under the erthe, me thought, they yall; 1355 Alas! they had a feble grace!

The Pellican then axed right, "For my wryting if I have blame, Who woll for me fight of flight? Who shall sheldë me from shame? 1360 He that had a mayd to dame, The lamb that slayn [for sinners] was, Shall sheldë me from gostly blame; For erthly harm is goddes grace.

Therfore I praye every man, 1365 Of my wryting have me excused." This wryting wryteth the Pellican, That thus these people hath dispysed; For I am, fresh, fully advysed, I nill not maynteyn his manace. 1370 For the devell is +oft disguysed, To bringe a man to yvell grace.

Wyteth the Pellican, and not me, For herof I nil not avowe, In hy ne in low, ne in no degrè, 1375 But as a fable take it ye mowe. To holy churche I will me bowe; Ech man to amende him, Christ send space! And for my wryting me alowe He that is almighty, for his grace.' 1380

FINIS.

_From_ Thynne (ed. 1542). _I give rejected spellings._

1. Ploweman; plowe. 3. eate ynowe. 4. lyge; chynne. 5. cowe. 6. bone; skynne. 7. shoke; -drowe. 8. honge; pynne. 9. toke; tabarde; staffe. 12. pylgremage; platte. 13. bare. 14. forswatte. 15. sene. 17. behelde wele. 18. sawe. 19. knewe; snoute. 23. coulde; loute.

27. plowe. 28. meate. 29. auowe. 30. wyfe; fynde. 31. howe. 32. leude; bene; full (_read_ fully; _see_ l. 24); blynde. 33. fayne. 34. her; _supply_ to; swet. 35. agayne. 36. eate. 37. The (_for_ They; 1550, They); sayne. 38. hell. 39. payne. 41. her. 42. sayne. 43. corne. 44. speaketh. 45. preache. 46. nere; thynge. 47. ons (1550, ones); teache. 48. preachynge. 49. Saye; the. 51. praye; noman. 52. Whyle; tellynge. COLOPHON: fyrst parte.

53. stryfe. 55. bene. 57. great; vngrounde (!). 58. souble (_error for_ souple). 60. foule. 61. one. 63. freers. 64. great. 65. heuyn. 68. foule mought. 70. _Supply_ al; prease. 71. caytyffes. 72. one; encrease. 73. I-clepeth (!); londlese. 74. bene. 75. peace. 76. foule. 78. knowe. 79. trauayle. 80. ferre. 82. wodde. 83. sawe.

85. one. 86. grymme. 89. measure. 90. counsayle. 91. sharpe. 92. foule. 93. preache. 94. mekenesse. 95. teache. 96. blesse. 97. beareth wytnesse. 98. lambe; lykeneth. 99. tokenynge. 103. lowlyche; lowe. 105. crowne; couetours (_read_ covertours). 106. pylloure (_for_ pelure). 107. great treasours. 108. foule. 109. Preests shulde. 111. bateyle shulde. 112. her owne. 113. syttynges; hye. 114. souerayntie; house. 115. worshippe. 116. Who so (_omit_ so); foule shall.

117. suche. 118. erthlye. 119. suche shall. 120. y-buylden her boure. 122. them to hem; _supply_ be. 123. holde; one. 124. suche one shall (_om._ one). 125. peeres. 127. poore freers. 128. Nowe. 129. her. 130. noman; permagall. 131. Whyle; her. 132. suche; mote. 134. glytterande; great araye. 136. co_m_men; maye; gaye. 137. daye. 138. great. 139. baye. 140. suche; mote. 141. punyshed (!); _see_ l. 143. 142. sustayne. 144. her. 147. leude. 148. Suche; foule them befall (_see_ ll. 156, 164).

149. meates. 150. songe; syttynge longe. 151. her. 152. meate; gonge. 153. meate; harpe; songe. 154. eche; mote. 155. amonge. 156. Suche; foule. 157. one. 159. staffe; pyrrey; _read_ perrey. 160. made; lead. 161. golde; redde. 162. glytterande; golde (_repeated from_ l. 161; _read_ gown). 164. foule. 167. her. 168. hel. 169. her. 170. her gaye. 172. great. 179. poore. 180. Suche; foule.

182, 3. her. 184. kynge. 185. glyttryng (1550, glytteryng). 187. golde. 188. foule. 189. clepen (!); bene. 194. Antichriste; her. 196. foule. 198. done (_but_ 1550, dome; _read_ demed). 200. whiche. 201, 202. her. 204. suche; foule. 205. Her. 207. mote. 208. forbede (= forb[=e]d). 209. suche. 211. mote; her.

215, 216. greater. 224. thynke. 225. Suche; stynke. 227. bowynge. 228. must nede euyll; _I omit_ nede. 231. suche; sect sewys. 233. her. 234. Her. 235. Chrystes (!); _read_ Christ his. 236. suche; foule. 238. her; lyfe. 240. _Supply_ ther; great stryfe. 241. a knyfe (_om._ a). 243. suche. 244. suche; foule.

246. _Supply_ he surely. 247. peace. 248. bade. 251. trusteth (!). 252. _Supply_ such; foule. 256. roode. 257. co_m_men. 258. Echeon. 259. poore. 260. befall; _read_ fall. 261. _Supply_ never. 263. _Supply_ yet. 266. her. 267. her. 268. foule; falle. 272. her. 276. suche; foule.

282. shyppes (!); 1550, shepes. 283. ofte. 284. suche; foule. 287. poore. 289. _Supply_ him. 292. sayne. 295. _Supply_ there; nowe; them. 296. hoode. 297. blode. 298. buckette; (wall = well). 299. wode. 300. suche. 301. her. 302. _Omit_ to? 304. sonne; worthe. 306. her crokettes; christall. 307. downe. 308. foule.

310. her. 315. Redde; vsyn. 316. falsshed foule. 317. Their (_read_ Hir); her. 318. clemeth; _see_ l. 525. 320. _Supply_ by; raunsome. 324, 332, 340. foule. 324. to fall (_omit_ to). 325. her. 328. her seales; dare. 329. great. 332. suche; _supply_ false. 334. her. 336. sayne; poore. 337. eche preeste. 338. encrease. 339. heerdes; the. 340. suche.

341. falsely. 344. towne (_twice_). 345. raunsome. 346. christall. 348. suche. 348, 356, 364. foule. 349. gyltie. 350. _Supply_ yet; maye. 352. maye. 353. gone. 355. poore; theyr (_read_ hir). 356. suche. 357. suche. 358. suche crafte. 359. forbade. 360. Suche. 361. is (_read_ ben). 363. dispyce. 364. suche. 365. sayne. 366. heuyn; holde. 367. toke. 368. solde. 369. Suche; bolde. 370. wytte. 371. colde. 372. suche.

374. leaue. 375. suche (_twice_). 378. Theyr (_for_ Hir). 380. false Lucifere. 381. Lucifarre. 383. faythe; farre. 386. hou_n_de; hungre. 387. vngratious. 388. suche. 388, 396, 404. foule. 389. heyre. 390. thynke; case. 391. dispeyre. 393. lorde. 394. anone pray. 395. purchase. 396. suche. 397. can (_read_ conne). 398. spedde. 399. wylde. 400. redde. 401. leude boster (_om._ leude). 402. byshoppe; is (_read_ as); horse. 403. be stedde. 404. _Supply_ the; last.

405. byshoppes. 407. Suche; ranke. 408. heale none. 409. done. 410. one fors (!); _misprint_. 411. thanke suche. 412. suche. 412, 420, 436. foule. 413. canne; _read_ conne; her. 414. made. 415. canne. 416. Suche; nowe. 418. her. 419. Suche. 420. suche. 422. Traueyle hungre; colde. 424. olde. 425. folde. 426. theyr (_for_ hir); shepe. 428. suche. 429. her. 430. pouerte. 432. drynke; pyement; _supply_ and; aparte. 433. a ferde. 434. as dyd (_om._ dyd). 435. dryuen her shepe; deserte. 436. suche.

437. xij. 438. Nowe; there; one. 440. echone. 443. stone. 447. nowe. 449. her. 450. leuyn. 451. But (_read_ Ben). 452. suche. 453. plowe. 454. hate (!). 455. to hym (_om._ to); ynowe. 456. hatte. 457. poore; latte. 459. Suche; gnatte. 460. suche. 461. showe. 462. to kysse (_om._ to); fete. 463. ynowe. 464. sette; _read_ seet (= sat). 465. Suche one; hym selfe foryete. 466. _For_ call _read_ tall (?); _cf. l._ 74. 467. wete. 468. suche; foule.

469. her. 470. golde. 472. catche sholde. 473. Her seruauntes; them (_read_ hem); vnholde. 474. theyr (_for_ hir). 475. holde. 476. suche. 478. fynde. 479. nowe. 480. saye behynde. 481. Howe; pynde. 482. kende; _see_ l. 530. 483. putte; mynde. 484. amende. 485. nowe. 486. Howe. 487. howe. 488. worde; telleth (_see_ l. 487). 490. offrende. 492. amende.

493. saye. 495. Suche hathe nowe. 497. varry. 498. wende. 500. pytie; amende. 501. lyfe. 503. sufferaunce; stryfe. 505. wysedome. 506. tende. 507. measure. 508. maye amende. 509. lyfe. 514. comprehende. 515. maynteyne. 516. amende. 517. delyghtes. 518. stronge. 519. vsen. 520. Agaynste pytie punishementes. 522. Her; worse dispende. 524. amende.

525. holy. 528. worse; wytlesse. 529. fyshe; fleshe. 530. ykende. 531. poore. 532. amende. 533. Dyuers (_read_ Dives); suche; her dome. 534. sayne. 535. shulde done. 536. suche. 537. suche. 538. offende. 539. nowe. 540. amende. 542. nowe; yknowe. 544. trowe. 545. Eche; owe (!). 546. sende. 547. worde; folke; showe. 548. amende. 549. poore. 551. Nowe dare; poore. 552. her foe. 553. Amonge; mote. 554. suche suspende. 555. hente. 556. amende.

557. worlde. 558. loly; badde. 559. her. 560. forthe ladde. 561. dradde. 562. _Supply_ servaunts; shende. 563. Eche; gladde. 564, 572, 580, 588. amende. 567. One; one. 569. _Supply_ that; one. 570. defende. 571. badde. 572. suche. 573. badde; shepe. 574. forbade. 575. Swerde; shepe. 576. shepe. 578. her shepe; swerde; contende. 579. her shepe; great. 582. _Supply_ that; chefe pastoure. 583. swerde. 584. bochoure. 586. Shulde; shepe; backe bende. 587. shoure.

590. forsoke. 591. _Supply_ to (_as in_ l. 592). 592. hoke. 593. shepe; dothe; coke. 594. _Supply_ they; vntrende. 595. -boke. 596. them amende. 600. badde; behynde. 601. Suche. 602. offende. 604. suche; amende. 606. _Read_ contrar. 608. mysse. 610. Peter (_read_ him); reprehende. 611. But nat (_om._ But); heuyn blysse. 612. amende. 613. case. 616. bare. 618. stale; _supply_ gan; myspende. 620. _Supply_ now; amende.

622. hys false (_om._ false). 626. frende = fremd. 628. amende. 629. efte sone. 631. fordone. 632. sayne. 633. And ayenst (_omit_ And); commaundementes (_read_ maundements); crye. 634. brende. 635. suche. 636. amende. 637. Englande. 638. kynge. 639. suche. 640. _Supply_ they (_or_ hem); lyste. 641. her. 642. prysone; sende. 644. amende. 648. bayghted. 649. worse. 650. prysone; _supply_ be; pende. 652. maye mende.

654. assente. 655. eche. 657. Her seales. 658. extende. 660. mischefe; _supply_ may; amende. 662. worthe tenne pounde. 664. thyrde parte; rounde. 665. raunsounde. 666. saye suche parte; apende. 667. gothe; grounde. 668. amende. 669. fornycatioun. 670. shyllynges; paye. 671. absolution. 672. forthe; maye. 674. soule; brende. 676. suche; amende. 678. londe. 680. her honde. 681. theyr (_for_ hir); bonde. 682. Worse beate; _supply_ more; brende. 683. vnderstande. 684. amende.

685. _Read_ religiouns. 686. moche laye. 690. attende. 691. hyghe. 692. amende. 694. aboute. 695. _Supply_ the. 697. doute. 698. them defende. 699. nowe; folke; stoute. 700. kynge; nowe; amende. 701. forbode. 702. shulde. 704. shulde; lordshyppe. 705. bolde. 706. suche lordeshyppes; them (_for_ hem). 707. her shepe; her folde.

709. countrefete. 710. her fruite. 711. Her; foryete. 712. dispyte. 713. poore. 715. her shepe. 720-1. great. 722. thre; _supply_ han. 723. playeng. 724. kynge. 725. lette. 729. soule; fore. 731. her. 732. Her profytes. 734. poore. 736. lorde. 737. catche. 738. lorde. 739. poore. 740. syke (_for_ seke); _see l._ 1313.

743. also (_read_ als). 746. poore; spende. 748. sende. 749. her; suche. 750. treasour. 751. her paryshe. 752. -floure. 753. Her lyfe shulde. 755. her lele. 756. Suche. 759. her; _supply_ hir. 760. great. 761. thynke. 763. dredefull. 764. Suche wretches. 765. her. 767. poore; hungre. 769. rente. 770. recke. 772. one.

773. horedome. 777. suche tabyde. 778. Howe; yelde. 779. hye; mowe. 780. Suche; wytte; nelde. 782. foryet. 785. mowe gete. 787. sette. 788. Suche treasour. 789. mote; saye. 790. holdynge. 791. iaye. 792. selfe nothynge. 793. erle; kynge. 795. tythynge; offrynge. 798. _Supply_ els. 804. false.

808. her lorde. 811. falsely; worde. 812. her. 814. the; _supply_ me. 815. suche; _supply_ folk. 818. suche falsely fayne. 819. dredeful. 820. payne. 821. selfe; done. 825. _Supply_ the. 826. her false. 828. suche. 830. _Read_ vikere. 831. trowe; false. 834. Eche; lye. 835. _Read_ Who speke ayeinës; her.

837. howe. 838. Onely; Christe. 840. or (_read_ on). 841. trowe. 843. _Supply_ same. 845. howe; amonge. 846. waye. 848. betraye. 849. maye. 851. saye. 852. blende. 853. on (_read_ upon); her. 854. poorely; porte. 855. sacramentes; done. 856. catchynge; her comforte. 857. eche. 858. done; wronge; her dysporte. 859. afraye. 860. lorde. 862. aye. 863. sweare. 865. Suche bearen; heauen. 866. assoyle. 868. true (_better_ trewë).

869. wrestlynge. 871. Markette beaters; medlynge. 874. debate. 875. sacramentes; sayle (!). 876. Howe; suche; gate. 879. speake. 880. sompnynge. 881. saye; _supply_ with; lye. 882. her eye. 887. twyse; daye he (_om._ he). 889. mote. 890. horne. 891. wytche. 892. Suchen. 893. mote; some; stone. 895. _Supply_ to; lyuen. 896. saye. 897. Aboute suche; great. 898. suche; stande. 900. maye.

901. That it leude people se mowe. 902. Mary thou (_om._ thou). 903. Aboute; nowe. 909. poore. 910. _Supply_ in; owne. 911. her. 914. mowe; colde. 915. poore; sprete; Christe. 916. olde. 917. sweardes. 918. Baudryke (_read_ Baudriks). 919. Suche; her. 920. suche; bene. 921. her. 922. Whome (_twice_). 923. bene. 925. gay. 926. mote. 929. her. 930. her shone. 932. none.

933. Nowe. 934. That men (_om._ That). 935. done. 937. Suche. 938. Lyke. arayde. 939. The proude (_om._ The); pendauntes; her. 940. Falsely; betrayde. 941. Shryfte-. 943. sacramentes. 945. her byshoppe. 948. thus (_read_ this); sayne. 949. her. 952. Suche; eche. 953. profyte. 955. dare; sayne. 956. suche. 957. byshoppes. 958. mote. 959. her. 960. Suche prelates. 961. suche. 962. suche. 963. Howe. 964. greatly.

965. sayne. 966. them (_for_ hem). 967. goddes goodesse (!). 968. maynteyne. 969. Her; shulde. 970. Her lyuynge leude. 971. saye; maye. 972. muste. 973. lye. 975. anone. 978. meane. 981. longe; mette. 983. Amonge; folke; sette. 984. halfe. 985. byshoppe. 987. absolution maye; them (_for_ hem). 988. soule; fore. 993. her. 994. suche. 995. came. 996. great.

997. monke lorde. 998. kynge. 999. proude. 1000. meate; drynke; _supply_ in. 1001. wearen; rynge. 1003. meate; drynke. 1004. on a (_om._ a). 1007. saye. 1008. deynties; her; foode. 1010. religion. 1012. lordshyppe; towne. 1013. Nowe. 1014. fyne clothe. 1016. meane. 1017. catchynge. 1018. great lykynge. 1019. lyuynge. 1020. Accordynge; Benette; lyuynge. 1021. her; ouerse. 1022. Her poore tenaunce. 1023. hyre (1550, hyer). 1025. farre. 1027. poore. 1028. cheryshe.

1029. co_m_menly. 1030. poore. 1031. perfection. 1032. Her fathers ryden; her. 1034. olde. 1035. Her fathers. 1036. colde. 1037. And all (_om._ And). 1038. Benette. 1039. ease. 1040. besette. 1042. plowe. 1043. Threshynge; dykynge; towne; towne. 1044. halfe ynowe. 1046. ease. 1050. badde; _supply_ ful; cherelyche. 1051. churlyche. 1052. earth. 1053. Benette. 1055. mette. 1057. _Supply_ now. 1060. treasoure.

1062. suche. 1064. foule. 1065. tolde. 1066. makynge. 1067. coulde. 1068. wolde. 1069. goodnesse. 1070. speake; thynke. 1071. her (_twice_). 1074. came; kynde. 1075. trowe. 1076. lost; mynde. 1077-80. shulde. 1078. gouernayle. 1080. auayle. 1081. Eche; trauayle. 1083. assayle. 1085. poore. 1086. nothynge; hadde. 1087. shulde. 1088. nolde; dradde. 1089. wolde; sadde. 1090. lust (_read_ list). 1091. such (_read_ shuld). 1092. shepe; wust (_read_ wist).

1093. prelates wolde. 1095. shulde stande; colde. 1096. Her seruauntes. 1098. worshyppe. 1100. Suche. 1102. Shulde; thynge. 1104. her kynge. 1105. clothynge. 1107. offrynge. 1108. lordshypppe (!) none. 1109. crye. 1111. hye. 1114. father. 1115. to be (_om._ to). 1116. _Read_ wikke? 1118. Goostly; earthly. 1119. shulde; hane. 1121. blode. 1122. Badde. 1124. myschefe.

1125-30. Her. 1125. clothynge. 1126. treasoure; lyfe. 1128. lordshyppe. 1131. Poore; spirite. 1133. the. 1135. haste; lyue (_read_ leve). 1136. eche. 1139. glosynge. 1141. wolde; eche; there shulde. 1142. enuye. 1146. lyfe. 1148. the; stryfe. 1149. _Supply_ ye. 1151. neyther (_read_ not). 1154. warme; _supply_ be.

1157. sacramentes. 1158. speake; slye. 1159. tythynges offringes w_i_t_h_ (_omit_ offringes); ente_n_tes. 1160. lye. 1161. done; ease. 1162. there; none. 1163. sayne; pease. 1167. wolde. 1168. Leaue; chattrynge. 1173. fore. 1174. done. 1175. done. 1176. shalte; man. 1177. _Supply_ nay. 1179. sacramente. 1180. speake. 1181-3. her. 1182. shulde; poore; spirite. 1184. false habyte. 1186. hye.

1190. connynge. 1191. her. 1193. sacramentes. 1195. speake; dele. 1196. nothynge. 1197. vsen; mysse. 1199. trowe. 1200. reason. 1202. co_m_maundementes. 1204. sacramentes. 1205. trowe. 1206. wronge. 1207. dare. 1208. songe. 1209. holsome lyfe. 1210. done; dewe. 1212. Weddynge. 1213. solde. 1216. maye. 1217. lye. 1218. saye; thorowe. 1219. fleshe; blode; mystrye.

1221. Howe. 1222. subgette. 1227. Ayenst. 1230. shulde. 1232. pouerte. 1235. dystrye. 1238. leaue; preache. 1239. speake agaynst. 1240. falsely teache. 1245. sayde. 1248. falshede.

1253. badde. 1254. seruauntes. 1255. amende. 1259. nothynge; estate. 1260. dysease. 1261. leaue. 1262. porte. 1263. cursynge shulde. 1264. brynge. 1266. nothynge; done. 1268. howe soone. 1269. wode. 1271. swore; bloode. 1274. reasons; the. 1275. fleshe. 1276. shalte. 1277. flewe; waye. 1278. wepe. 1279. saye. 1280. shepe. 1281. herde. 1282. worde. 1283. wrytte.

1286. trauayle; any man wolde (_om._ man). 1287. solde. 1288. _Supply_ greet. 1293. lykened. 1297. done; ayenst gode. 1298. fone. 1299. howe her lyuynge stode. 1301. _Supply_ me. 1303. _Supply_ Pellican (_wrongly prefixed to_ l. 1305); _supply_ of kind. 1304. _Supply_ lyk. 1305. foule; _supply_ evill. 1306. flewe (_read_ flowe; _see_ l. 1311). 1309. byrde; _supply_ that; ayre. 1311. into (_read_ in); dyspayre.

1317. parte. 1319. earth a downe. 1320. none. 1321. foule; ferre. 1322. And wyth (_om._ And). 1323. proude; earth. 1325. (Pellican _is written above this line_); flewe; twayne. 1326. droupynge. 1327. came agayne. 1328. earth. 1338. great; sene there. 1336. Igurde. 1338. Whyte; her. 1339. lye. 1340. for gerde her. 1342. _Supply_ the. 1343. stoute. 1344. fayne. 1345. rayne. 1345. flye; vayne.

1349. slewe; downe. 1350. There. 1352. downe. 1353. bete; slewe. 1358. wrytynge. 1361. mayde. 1362. And the lambe (_om._ And); _supply_ for sinners. 1364. erthely harme. 1366-7. wrytynge. 1369. freshe. 1370. maynteyne. 1371. often (_read_ oft). 1375. hye; lowe. 1378. Eche; sende. 1379. wrytynge.

* * * * *

III. JACK UPLAND.

I, Jack Uplande, make my mone to very god and to all true belevinge in Christ, that Antichrist and his disciples, by colour of holines, walken and deceiven Christes church by many fals figures, wherethrough, by Antichrist and his, many vertues been transposed to vices. 5

But the fellest folk that ever Antichrist found been last brought into the church, and in a wonder wyse; for they been of divers sectes of Antichrist, sowen of divers countrees and kinredes. And all men knowen wel, that they ben not obedient to bishoppes, ne lege men to kinges; neither they tillen ne 10 sowen, weden, ne repen woode, corn, ne gras, neither nothing that man shuld helpe but only hem-selves, hir lyves to sustein. And these men han all maner power of god, as they sayen, in heaven and in earth, to sell heaven and hell to whom that hem lyketh; and these wrecches wete never where to been 15 hemselves.

And therfore, frere, if thine order and rules ben grounded on goddes law, tell thou me, Jack Upland, that I aske of thee; and if thou be or thinkest to be on Christes syde, kepe thy pacience.

Saynt Paul techeth, that al our dedes shuld be don in charitè, 20 and els it is nought worth, but displesing to god and harm to oure owne soules. And for because freres chalengen to be gretest clerkes of the church, and next folowinge Christ in livinge, men shulde, for charitè, axe hem some questions, and pray hem to grounde their answers in reson and in holy writ; for 25 els their answere wolde nought be worth, be it florished never so faire; and, as me think, men might skilfully axe thus of a frere.

1. Frere, how many orders be in erthe, and which is the perfitest order? Of what order art thou? Who made thyn order? What is thy rule? Is there ony perfiter rule than Christ 30 himselfe made? If Christes rule be moost perfit, why rulest thou thee not therafter? Without more, why shall a frere be more punished if he breke the rule that his patron made, than if he breke the hestes that god himself made?

2. Approveth Christ ony more religions than oon, that saynt 35 James speketh of? If he approveth no more, why hast thou left his rule, and taken another? Why is a frere apostata, that leveth his order and taketh another secte; sith there is but oon religion of Christ?

3. Why be ye wedded faster to your habits than a man is to his 40 wyfe? For a man may leve his wyf for a yere or two, as many men do; and if +ye leve your habit a quarter of a yere, ye shuld be holden apostatas.

4. Maketh youre habit you men of religion, or no? If it do, than, ever as it wereth, your religion wereth; and, after that 45 the habit is better, is you[r] religion better. And whan ye liggen it besyde you, than lig ye youre religion besyde you, and ben apostatas. Why by ye you so precious clothes, sith no man seketh such but for vaine glorie, as saynt Gregory saith?

5. What betokeneth youre grete hood, your scaplerye, youre 50 knotted girdel, and youre wyde cope?

6. Why use ye al oon colour, more then other Christen men do? What betokeneth that ye been clothed all in one maner clothinge?

7. If ye saye it betokeneth love and charitè, certes, than ye be 55 ofte ypocrites, whan ony of you hateth other, and in that, that ye wollen be said holy by youre clothinge.

8. Why may not a frere were clothing of an-other secte of freres, sith holines stondeth not in the clothes?

9. Why holde ye silence in one howse more than in another; 60 sith men ought over-al to speke the good and leve the evell?

10. Why ete you flesh in one house more than in another, if youre rule and youre order be perfit, and the patron that made it?

11. Why gette ye your dispensacions, to have it more esy? 65 Certes, either it semeth that ye be unperfit; or he, that made it so hard that ye may not holde it. And siker, if ye holde not the rule of youre patrons, ye be not than hir freres; and so ye lye upon youre-selves!

12. Why make ye you as dede men whan ye be professed; 70 and yet ye be not dede, but more quicke beggars than ye were before? And it semeth evell a deed man to go aboute and begge.

13. Why will ye not suffer youre novices here your councels in youre chapter-house, er that they been professed; if youre councels 75 been trew, and after god[d]es lawe?

14. Why make ye you so costly houses to dwell in; sith Christ did not so, and dede men shuld have but graves, as falleth to dede men? And yet ye have more gorgeous buildinges than many lordes of Englonde. For ye maye wenden through the 80 realme, and ech night, wel nigh, ligge in youre owne courtes; and so mow but right few lordes do.

15. Why hyre ye to ferme youre limitors, gevinge therfore eche yeer a certain rente; and will not suffer oon in an-others limitacion, right as ye were your-selves lordes of contreys? 85

16. Why be ye not under youre bisshops visitacions, and liege men to oure kinge?

17. Why axe ye no letters of bretherhedes of other mens prayers, as ye desyre that other men shulde aske letters of you?

18. If youre letters be good, why graunte ye them not generally 90 to al maner men, for the more charitè?

19. Mow ye make ony man more perfit brother for your prayers, than god hath by oure beleve, by our baptyme and his owne graunte? If ye mowe, certes, than ye be above god.

20. Why make ye men beleve that your golden trentall songe 95 of you, to take therfore ten shillinges, or at the leest fyve shillinges, will bringe soules out of helle, or out of purgatorye? If this be sooth, certes, ye might bring all soules out of payne. And that wolle ye nought; and than ye be out of charitè.

21. Why make ye men beleve, that he that is buried in youre 100 habit shall never come in hell; and ye wite not of youre-selfe, whether ye shall to hell, or no? And if this were sooth, ye shulde selle youre high houses, to make many habites, for to save many mens soules.

22. Why stele ye mens children for to make hem of youre 105 secte; sith that theft is agaynst goddes heste; and sithe youre secte is not perfit? Ye know not whether the rule that ye binde him to, be best for him or worst!

23. Why undernime ye not your brethren, for their trespas after the lawe of the gospell; sith that underneminge is the best 110 that may be? But ye put them in prison ofte, whan they do after goddes lawe; and, by saynt Austines rule, if ony did amisse and wolde not amende him, ye should put him from you.

24. Why covete ye shrifte, and burying of other mens parishens, and non other sacrament that falleth to Christen folke? 115

25. Why busie ye not to here shrifte of poore folke, as well as of riche lordes and ladyes; sith they mowe have more plentee of shrifte-fathers than poore folk may?

26. Why saye ye not the gospel in houses of bedred men; as ye do in riche mens, that mowe go to churche and here the 120 gospell?

27. Why covette +ye not to burye poore folk among you; sith that they ben moost holy, as ye sayn that ye ben for youre povertee?

28. Why will ye not be at hir diriges, as ye been at riche mens; 125 sith god prayseth hem more than he doth riche men?

29. What is thy prayer worth; sith thou wilt take therefore? For of all chapmen ye nede to be moost wyse; for drede of symonye.

30. What cause hast thou that thou wilt not preche the 130 gospell, as god sayeth that thou shuldest; sith it is the best lore, and also oure beleve?

31. Why be ye evell apayed that secular prestes shulde preche the gospel; sith god him-selfe hath boden hem?

32. Why hate ye the gospell to be preched; sith ye be so 135 moche holde thereto? For ye winne more by yere with _In principio_, than with all the rules that ever youre patrons made. And, in this, minstrels been better than ye. For they contraryen not to the mirthes that they maken; but ye contraryen the gospell bothe in worde and dede. 140

33. Frere, whan thou receivest a peny for to say a masse, whether sellest thou goddes body for that peny, or thy prayer, or els thy travail? If thou sayest thou wolt not travaile for to saye the masse but for the peny, +than certes, if this be soth, than thou lovest to littel mede for thy soule. And if thou sellest 145 goddes body, other thy prayer, than it is very symony; and art become a chapman worse than Judas, that solde it for thirty pens.

34. Why wrytest thou hir names in thy tables, that yeveth thee moneye; sith god knoweth all thing? For it semeth, by thy 150 wryting, that god wolde not rewarde him but thou wryte him in thy tables; god wolde els forgetten it.

35. Why berest thou god in honde, and sclaundrest him that he begged for his mete; sith he was lord over all? For than hadde he ben unwyse to have begged, and no nede therto. 155

36. Frere, after what law rulest thou thee? Wher findest thou in goddes law that thou shuldest thus begge?

37. What maner men nedeth for to begge?

Of whom oweth suche men to begge?

Why beggest thou so for thy brethren? 160

If thou sayest, for they have nede; than thou doest it for the more perfeccion, or els for the leest, or els for the mene. If it be the moost perfeccion of all, than shulde al thy brethren do so; and than no man neded to begge but for him-selfe, for so shuld no man begge but him neded. And if it be the leest perfeccion, why 165 lovest thou than other men more than thy-selfe? For so thou art not well in charitè; sith thou shuldest seke the more perfeccion after thy power, livinge thy-selfe moost after god; and thus, leving that imperfeccion, thou shuldest not so begge for hem. And if it is a good mene thus to begge as thou doest, than shuld no man 170 do so but they ben in this good mene; and yet such a mene, graunted to you, may never be grounded in goddes lawe; for than both lered and lewed that ben in mene degrè of this worlde shuld go aboute and begge as ye do. And if all suche shuld do so, certes, wel nigh al the world shuld go aboute and begge as 175 ye do: and so shulde there be ten beggers agaynst oon yever.

38. Why procurest thou men to yeve thee hir almes, and sayest it is so meedful; and thou wilt not thy-selfe winne thee that mede?

39. Why wilt thou not begge for poore bedred men, that ben 180 poorer than ony of youre secte, that liggen, and mow not go aboute to helpe themselves; sith we be all brethren in god, and that bretherhed passeth ony other that ye or ony man coude make? And where moost nede were, there were moost perfeccion; either els ye holde hem not youre pure brethren, or worse. But 185 than ye be imperfite in your begginge.

40. Why make ye you so many maisters among you; sith it is agaynst the techinge of Christ and his apostels?

41. Whos ben all your riche courtes that ye han, and all your riche jewels; sith ye sayen that ye han nought, in proper ne in 190 comune? If ye sayn they ben the popes, why +geder ye then, of poore men and of lordes, so much out of the kinges honde to make your pope riche? And sith ye sayen that it is greet perfeccion to have nought, in proper ne in comune, why be ye so fast aboute to make the pope (that is your +fader) riche, and putte on him 195 imperfeccion? Sithen ye sayn that your goodes ben all his, and he shulde by reson be the moost perfit man, it semeth openlich that ye ben cursed children, so to sclaunder your +fader, and make him imperfit. And if ye sayn that tho goodes be yours, then do ye ayenst youre rule; and if it be not ayenst your rule, than might 200 ye have both plough and cart, and labour as other good men don, and not so begge to by losengery, and ydell, as ye don. And if ye say that it is more perfeccion to begge than to travaill or worch with youre hand, why preche ye not openly, and teche all men to do so, sith it is the best and moost perfit lyf to helpe of her 205 soules, as ye make children to begge that might have been riche heyres?

42. Why make ye not your festes to poore men, and yeveth hem yeftes, as ye don to the riche; sith poore men han more nede than the riche? 210

43. What betokeneth that ye go tweyne and tweyne +togeder? If ye be out of charitè, ye accorden not in soule.

44. Why begge ye, and take salaries therto, more than other prestes; sith he that moost taketh, most charge he hath?

45. Why holde ye not saynt Fraunces rule and his testament; 215 sith Fraunces saith, that god shewed him this living and this rule? And certes, if it were goddes will, the pope might not fordo it; or els Fraunces was a lyar, that sayde on this wyse. And but this testament that he made accorde with goddes will, els erred he as a lyar that were out of charitè; and as the law 220 sayeth, he is accursed that letteth the rightfull last will of a deed man lacke. And this testament is the last will of Fraunces that is a deed man; it seemeth therefore that all his freres ben cursed.

46. Why wil ye not touche no coined money with the crosse, 225 ne with the kinges heed, as ye don other jewels both of golde and silver? Certes, if ye despyse the crosse or the kinges heed, than ye be worthy to be despysed of god and the kinge. And sith ye will receyve money in your hertes and not with youre handes, it seemeth that ye holde more holinesse in your hondes than in your 230 hertes; and than be ye false to god.

47. Why have ye exempt you fro our kinges lawes and visitinge of our bishoppes more than other Christen men that liven in this realme, if ye be not gilty of traitory to our realme, or trespassers to oure bishoppes? But ye will have the kinges lawes for trespas 235 don to you; and ye wil have power of other bishops more than other prestes; and also have leave to prison youre brethren as lordes in youre courtes, more than other folkes han that ben the kinges lege men.

48. Why shal some secte of you freres paye eche yere a certaine 240 to hir generall provinciall or minister, or els to hir soverains, but-if he stele a certain number of children, as some men sayn? And certes, if this be soth, than be ye constrayned, upon certaine payne, to do thefte, agaynst goddes commaundement, _non furtum facies_. 245

49. Why be ye so hardy, to graunte, by letters of fraternitè, to men and women, that they shall have part and merit of all your good dedes; and ye witen never whether god be apayed with youre dedes because of youre sinne? Also ye witen never whether that man or woman be in state to be saved or damned; than shall 250 he have no merit in heven for his owne dedes, ne for none other mans. And all were it so, that he shuld have part of youre good dedes; yet shulde he have no more than god would geve him, after that he were worthy; and so much shall eche man have of goddes yefte, withoute youre limitacion. But if ye will saye that 255 ye ben goddes felowes, and that he may not do without youre assent, than be ye blasphemers to god.

50. What betokeneth that ye have ordeined, that when such oon as ye have mad youre brother or sister, and hath a letter of your sele, that letter +mot be brought in youre holy chapter and 260 there be red; or els ye will not praye for him? But and ye willen not praye specially for all other that weren not mad youre brethren or sistren, than were ye not in right charitè; for that ought to be commune, and namely in goostly thinges.

51. Frere, what charitè is this--to overcharge the people by 265 mighty begginge, under colour of prechinge or praying or masses singing? Sith holy writ biddeth not thus, but even the contrary; for al such goostly dedes shulde be don freely, as god yeveth hem freely.

52. Frere, what charitè is this--to begyle children or they 270 commen to discrecion, and binde hem to youre orders, that been not grounded in goddes lawe, against hir frendes wil? Sithen by this foly ben many apostatas, both in will and dede, and many ben apostatas in hir will during all hir lyfe, that wolde gladly be discharged if they wist how; and so, many ben apostatas that 275 shulden in other states have ben trewe men.

53. Frere, what charitè is this--to make so mony freres in every countrey, to the charge of the people? Sith persounes and vicares alone, ye, secular prestes alone, ye, monkes and chanons alone, with bishops above hem, were y-nough to the 280 church, to do prestes office. And to adde mo than y-nough is a foul errour, and greet charge to the people; and this is openly against goddes will, that ordeined all thinges to be don in weight, nomber, and mesure. And Christ himself was apayed with twelve apostles and a few disciples, to preche and do prestes office to all 285 the hole world; than was it better don than it is now at this tyme by a thousand deel. And right so as foure fingers with a thumbe in a mannes hande, helpeth a man to worche, and double nomber of fingers in one hond shuld lette him more; and the more nomber that there were, passing the mesure of goddes ordinaunce, 290 the more were a man letted to worke: right so, as it semeth, it is of these newe orders that ben added to the church, without grounde of holy writ and goddes ordinaunce.

54. Frere, what charitè is this--to lye to the people, and saye that ye folowe Christ in povertè more than other men don? 295 And yet, in curious and costly howsinge, and fyne and precious clothing, and delicious and lykinge fedinge, and in tresoure and jewels and riche ornamentes, freres passen lordes and other riche worldly men; and soonest they shuld bringe hir cause aboute, be it never so costly, though goddes lawe be put abacke. 300

55. Frere, what charitè is this--to +gader up the bokes of holy writ and putte hem in tresory, and so emprisoune hem from secular prestes and curates; and by this cautel lette hem to preche the gospell freely to the people without worldly mede; and also to defame good prestes of heresy, and lyen on hem openly, 305 for to lette hem to shew goddes lawe, by the holy gospell, to the Christen people?

56. Frere, what charitè is this--to fayn so much holines in your bodily clothing, that ye clepe your habit, that many blinde foles desyren to dye therin more than in an-other? And also, 310 that a frere that leveth his habit (late founden of men), may not be assoiled till he take it again, but is an apostata, as ye sayn, and cursed of god and man both? The frere beleveth treuth and pacience, chastitè, mekenesse, and sobrietè; yet for the more part of his lyfe he may soone be assoiled of his prior; and if he 315 bringe hoom to his house much good by yere, be it never so falsly begged and pilled of the poore and nedy people in courtes aboute, he shal be hold[en] a noble frere! O lord, whether this be charitè!

57. Frere, what charitè is this--to prese upon a riche man, 320 and to entyce him to be buried among you from his parish-church, and to suche riche men geve letters of fraternitè confirmed by youre generall sele, and therby to bere him in honde that he shall have part of all your masses, matins, prechinges, fastinges, wakinges, and all other good dedes don by your brethren of youre 325 order (both whyles he liveth and after that he is deed), and yet ye witen never whether youre dedes be acceptable to god, ne whether that man that hath that letter be able by good living to receive ony part of youre dedes? And yet a poore man, that ye wite wel or supposen in certain to have no good of, ye ne geve 330 no such letters, though he be a better man to god than suche a riche man; nevertheles, this poore man doth not recche therof. For, as men supposen, suche letters and many other that freres behesten to men, be full of false deceites of freres, out of reson and god[d]es lawe and Christen mens faith. 335

58. Frere, what charitè is this--to be confessoures of lordes and ladyes, and to other mighty men, and not amend hem in hir living; but rather, as it semeth, to be the bolder to pille hir poore tenauntes and to live in lechery, and there to dwelle in your office of confessour, for winning of worldly goodes, and to be holden grete 340 by colour of suche goostly offices? This seemeth rather pryde of freres than charitè of god.

59. Frere, what charitè is this--to sayn that who-so liveth after youre order, liveth most parfitly, and next foloweth the state of aposteles in povertè and penaunce; and yet the wysest 345 and gretest clerkes of you wende, or sende, or procure to the court of Rome to be mad cardinales or bishoppes or the popes chapelayns, and to be assoiled of the vowe of povertè and obedience to your ministers; in the which, as ye sayn, standeth moost perfeccion and merite of youre orders? And thus ye faren 350 as Pharisees, that sayen oon, and do another to the contrarye.

60. Why name ye more the patron of youre order in youre _Confiteor_, whan ye beginne masse, than other saintes, as apostels, or marters, that holy churche holde[th] more glorious than hem, and clepe hem youre patrons and youre avowries? 355

61. Frere, whet[h]er was saint Fraunces, in making of his rule that he sette thyne order in, a fole and lyar, or els wyse and trew? If ye sayn that he was not a fole but wyse; ne a lyar, but trew; why shewe ye the contrary by youre doing, whan by youre suggestion to the pope ye said that Fraunces rule was mad so hard that ye might 360 not live to holde it without declaracion and dispensacion of the pope? And so, by youre dede, ye lete your patron a fole, that made a rule so hard that no man may wel kepe [it]; and eke youre dede proveth him a lyar, where he sayeth in his rule, that he took and lerned it of the holy gooste. For how might ye, for shame, 365 praye the pope to undo that the holy goost biddeth, as whan ye prayed him to dispense with the hardnesse of your order?

62. Frere, which of the foure orders of freres is best, to a man that knoweth not which is the beste, but wolde fain enter into the beste and none other? If thou sayest that thyn is the best, than 370 sayest thou that noon of the other is as good as thyn; and in this eche frere in the three other orders wolle say that thou lyest; for in the selve maner eche other frere woll say that his order is beste. And thus to eche of the foure orders ben the other three contrary in this poynte; in the which if ony say sooth, that is oon 375 aloon; for there may but oon be the beste of foure. So foloweth it, that if ech of these orders answered to this question as thou doest, three were false and but oon trew; and yet no man shulde wite who that were. And thus it semeth, that the moost part of freres ben or shulde be lyars in this poynt, and they shulde 380 answere therto. If +ye say that an-other ordre of the freres is better than thyn or as good; why toke ye not rather therto as to the better, whan thou mightest have chosen at the beginning? And eke, why shuldest thou be an apostata, to leve thyn order and take thee to that that is better? And so, why goest thou not 385 from thyn order into that?

63. Frere, is there ony perfiter rule of religion than Christ, goddes sone, gave in his gospell to his brethren, or than that religion that saynt James in his epistle maketh mencion of? If +ye saye 'yes,' than puttest thou on Christ, that is wysdom of 390 god the +fader, uncunning, unpower, or evil will. For eyther than he coude not make his rule so good as an-other did his, (and so he hadde be uncunning, that he might not make his rule so good as another man might, and so were he unmighty and not god); or he wolde not make his rule so perfit as an-other did his 395 (and so had he ben evill-willed, namely to himselfe!) For if he might, and coude, and wold[e] have mad a rule perfit without defaute, and did not, he was not goddes sone almighty. For if ony other rule be perfiter than Christes, than must Christes rule lacke of that perfeccion by as much as the other were more 400 perfiter; and so were defaute, and Christ had failed in makinge of his rule. But to putte ony defaute or failinge in god, is blasphemy. If thou saye that Christes rule and that religion that saynt James maketh mencion of, is the perfitest; why holdest thou not than thilke rule without more? And why clepest thou 405 thee rather of saynt Frances or saynt Dominiks rule or religion or order, than of Christes rule or Christes order?

64. Frere, canst thou assigne ony defaute in Christes rule of the gospell, with the whiche he taught al men sikerly to be saved, if they kepte it to hir endinge? If thou saye it was to hard, 410 than sayest thou that Christ lyed; for he saide of his rule: 'My yoke is softe, and my burthen light.' If thou saye Christes rule was to light, that may be assigned for no defaute, for the better may it be kept. If thou sayst that there is no defaute in Christes rule of the gospell, sith Christ him-selfe saith it is light and esy: 415 what nede was it to patrons of freres to adde more therto, and so to make an harder religion, to save freres, than was the religion that Christes apostels and his disciples helden and weren saved by; but-if they wolden that her freres saten above the apostels in heven, for the harder religion that they kepen here? And so 420 wolde they sitten in heven above Christ himselfe for the moo and strait observaunces; than so shulde they be better than Christ himselfe, with misc[h]aunce!

Go now forth, and frayne youre clerkes, And grounde you in goddes lawe, and geve Jack answere. 425 And whan ye han assoiled me that I have said, sadly in treuth, I shall soill thee of thyn order, and save thee to heven!

If freres cunne not or mow not excuse hem of these questions asked of hem, it semeth that they be horrible gilty against god and hir even-Christen; for which gyltes and defautes it were 430 worthy that the order that they calle hir order were for-don. And it is wonder that men susteyne hem or suffer hem live in suche maner. For holy writ biddeth that thou do well to the meke, and geve not to the wicked, but forbid to geve hem breed, lest they be mad thereby mightier through you. Finis. 435

¶ Prynted for Jhon Gough. Cum Priuilegio Regali.

_From_ C. (= printed copy in Caius Coll. library, Cambridge); _I give here rejected spellings; readings marked_ Sp. _are from_ Speght.

3. walkyn. deceauen. 5, 6, 7. bene (_for_ been; _very often_). 6. folke. founde. 9. kynreddes. 11. grasse, nether nething (_sic_). 12. onely. her lyfes. 13. had; Sp. han. 15. hym (_for_ hem). wreches. 16. -selfes. 18. the. 20. teacheth. don. 21. not; Sp. nought. dyspleasynge. harme. 22. because (Sp. that). 23. greatest.

25. reason. write. 26. not; Sp. nought. 28. earthe. 29. thyne. 31. perfyte. 32. the. 33. break. 34. breake. 35. one. 36. speaketh. mor; Sp. more. lef; Sp. left. 37. leaueth. 38. one. 39. Christe. 40. abytes; Sp. habits. 41. leaue. wyfe. yeare. 42. you; _read_ ye. leaue. abyte; Sp. habit. yeare. 44. abyte; Sp. habit. 45. weareth (_twice_). 46. the abbyte; Sp. your habit. 48. apostatase; Sp. apostataes. by; Sp. buy. 50. greate hoode. 51. coape. 52. one coloure. 53. bene. 57. sayde. clotynge (!). 58. maye. weare clothynge.

60. Sp. _om._ in _before_ another. 61. speake. leaue. 62. eate. 65. easy. 66. ether; Sp. either. vnperfyte. 67. harde. seker; Sp. siker. 68. her. 69. selfes. 70. ye you; Sp. _om._ ye (!). 70, 71. deade (_twice_). beggers; Sp. beggars. ye; Sp. you. 72. deade. 74. heare. 75. eare; Sp. ere. Sp. haue ben (C. _om._ haue). 78. Sp. falleth it to. 78, 79. deade (_twice_). 79. gorgeous buyldi_n_ges; Sp. courts. 80. maye; Sp. now (_error for_ mow). 81. welnygh; Sp. will (!). 83. here; Sp. heire (_read_ hyre). geuynge. 84. yeare. certayne. one. 91. Sp. of men. 92. perfyte. Sp. brether (!). 93. baptyme; Sp. baptisme.

96. Sp. _om._ the. least. 97. oute. 98, 102. south; Sp. sooth. 101. abyte; Sp. habit. 103. abytes. 105. steale. 107. wether; Sp. whether. 109. vndermyne (_for_ vndernyme); Sp. vnderneme. 111. maye. presonne; Sp. prison. 112. Sp. Augustines. dyd; Sp. doe. 114. buryenge. 115. none. 116. heare; Sp. heare to. 117. plentie. 118. folke maye. 120. heare. 122. _Both_ you. folke amonge. 123. sayne. 124. pouertye. 125. her. bene. 126. Sp. other (_for_ riche). 128. Sp. _om._ of. 130. wylte. preache.

133. payed; Sp. apaid. preache. 134. gosgel (!). Sp. bodden. hym; Sp. hem. 135. preached. 136. yeare. 139. myrtes; Sp. mirths. 142. Sp. thy; C. _om._ (_before_ prayer). 144. Sp. that certes (_error for_ than certes); C. & certes. 149. her. the. 150. thynge. 151. Sp. writest; Sp. _om._ him. 152. Sp. forgotten (!). 153. bearest. 154. meate. 156. the. 159. C. Of; Sp. For. 162. perfection (_but_ perfeccion _in l._ 163). least. meane (_often_). 165. least. 166. arte.

167. charytye. sithe. 168. leauynge. 169. Sp. them (_for_ hem). 170. doeste. 173. learned and lewd; Sp. lerid and leaud. 174. Sp. _om._ suche. 176. one. 177. the here. 178. C. medefull; Sp. needful. the. 182. themselfes. 183. coulde. 185. hym; Sp. them (_read_ hem). C. or; Sp. but. 187. amonge. 188. teachynge. 189. Whose. rych. 190. yewels; Sp. iewels. improper ne; Sp. ne in proper ne in. 191. cumune; Sp. common. sayne. gether; Sp. gather. 192. Sp. _om._ of. 193. great. 194. in p_ro_per ne comune; Sp. in proper be (!) in common. 195. father rych. put. 197. reason. perfite. 198. father. 199. imperfyte. sayne. Sp. the (_for_ tho).

201. carte. done. 202. lesyngery; Sp. losengery. done. 204. preach. teach. 205. perfyte lyfe. 206. be; Sp. bin. 208. feastes. 209. done. rych. 211. together. 212. charitie. 214. Sp. _om. 2nd_ he. 220. C. as; Sp. is (!) charytie. 221. Sp. accursed; C. cursede. C. _om._ last. dead. 222. Sp. _om._ lacke. least; Sp. last. 223. dead. C. _om._ therefore. 226. hedde. done. 227. heade. 229. receaue. 229, 231. hartes (_twice_). 231. Sp. _om._ ye. 232. exempte. 234. gyltye. traytery. trespasers. 235. Sp. your (_for_ oure). Sp. the trespasse (_for_ trespas). 236. done.

240. eche yeare; Sp. ech a yere. 241. her (_twice_). 242. steale. certayne. sayne. 247. merite. 248. whyther; Sp. whether. payde; Sp. apayed. 249. weten; Sp. witten. 251. meryte. heauen. 252. man (_for_ mans, s _having dropped out_); Sp. mans. 253. ye (_for_ he); Sp. he. 256. folowes; Sp. fellowes. maye. 258. tokeneth; Sp. betokeneth. 259. one. made. 260. seale. mought (_read_ mot). 261. redde; Sp. rad. Sp. And but. 262. Sp. _om. 1st_ not. specyally; Sp. especially. made. 264. co_m_mne (!). goostely; Sp. ghostly. 266. myghtie. coloure. preachynge. prayeng. 267. write. 268. done frely. 269. frely. 271. him; Sp. hem.

272. her. 273-275. apostatase; Sp. apostataes. 278. personnes. 280. him; Sp. them. 282. foule. greate. 283. done. 284. measure. payd; Sp. apaied. 285. preache. 286. Sp. whole. Sp. _om. 2nd_ it. 287. deal; Sp. dele. 289. let. Sp. and so the (_om._ so). 290. measure. 293. wryte. 295. pouertye. done. 297. treasoure. 298. rych. 299. wordly; Sp. worldly. bring her. 300. costely. abake; Sp. abacke. 301. gather (_read_ gader). 302. wryte. put. emprysonne. 303. let. him; Sp. hem. 304. preache. frely. wordely; Sp. worldly.

306. let. 308. fayn. 309. bodely. 309, 311. abyte; Sp. habit. 311. leaueth. 311, 315. maye. 312. Sp. _om._ an. sayne. 315. parte. 316. home. by yeare; Sp. by the yeare. 317. courtes &; Sp. countries (_perhaps better_). 318. C. Sp. hold (_for_ holden). 320. _Both_ prease. 323. seale. beare. 324. parte. preachynges. 325. done. 326. dead. 329. receaue. 330. certaine. 331. no; Sp. to (!). 332. rych. reche; Sp. retch. 334. behesten; Sp. behoten. reason; Sp. all reason. 337. laydes (_for_ ladyes). her. 338. pyl her. 339. dwel. 340. greate.

341. coloure. 344. mooste perfytely. 345. wyseste. 346. greatest clarkes. 347. made. 348. chappelaynes. povertye. 351. one. 354. hol (_for_ holy); Sp. holy. holde; Sp. hold (_read_ holdeth). them. 357. set. 358. sayne. 359. shew. 360. C. that Fraunces rule was made so harde; Sp. that your rule that Francis made was so hard. C. might; Sp. mow. 363. harde. maye. _Supply_ it. 364. toke. 365. learned. 366. Sp. _om._ to. C. byddeth; Sp. bit. Sp. when; C. _om._ 369. fayne. 370. thyne. 371. none. thyne. 372, 374. thre. 373. C. selfe; Sp. self same. 375. one.

376. alone. one. 378. thre. one. 381. _Both_ you; _read_ ye. 382. thine. 384. apostate; Sp. apostata. leaue. 385. the. 388. sonne. 390. _Both_ you; _read_ ye. wysdome. 391. father vncunyng. Sp. _om._ eyther. 392, 397. coulde (_twice_). 393. Sp. had he. 395. perfyte. 397. made. perfyte. 398. defate; Sp. default. sonne. 401. weren. 402. put. 404. C. that saynt; Sp. which saint. the perfytest; Sp. perfectest. 405. Sp. _om._ than. 406. the (_read_ thee). 408. Sp. any default or (!) assigne. 409. sekerly; Sp. sikerly. 410. her. harde.

415. easye. 416. mor; Sp. more. 418. that; Sp. of (!). 420, 421. heauen (_twice_). 421. Christe. 424. fraye_n_ (_for_ frayne); Sp. fraine. 425. C. ye in; Sp. ye you in (_read_ you in). 426. sayde. _Read_--And whan ye han soiled that I saide, sadly in treuthe. 427. soyll the. thyne. order; Sp. orders. the; Sp. thee. heauen. 428. C. cunne; Sp. kun. 430. her. 431. her. fordone. 432. hem lyue; Sp. hir live. 433. wryte. 434. bread leste. 435. made. Sp. _om._ Finis.

* * * * *

IV. JOHN GOWER

UNTO THE WORTHY AND NOBLE KINGE HENRY THE FOURTH.

O noble worthy king, Henry the ferthe, In whom the gladde fortune is befalle The people to governe here upon erthe, God hath thee chose, in comfort of us alle; The worship of this land, which was doun falle, 5 Now stant upright, through grace of thy goodnesse, Which every man is holde for to blesse.

The highe god, of his justyce alone, The right which longeth to thy regalye Declared hath to stande in thy persone; 10 And more than god may no man justifye. Thy title is knowe upon thyn auncestrye; The londes folk hath eek thy right affermed; So stant thy regne, of god and man confermed.

Ther is no man may saye in other wyse 15 That god him-self ne hath the right declared; Wherof the land is boun to thy servyse, Which for defaute of helpe hath longe cared. But now ther is no mannes herte spared To love and serve, and worche thy plesaunce; 20 And al this is through goddes purveyaunce.

In alle thing which is of god begonne Ther foloweth grace, if it be wel governed; Thus tellen they whiche olde bokes conne, Wherof, my lord, I wot wel thou art lerned. 25 Aske of thy god; so shalt thou nat be werned Of no request [the] whiche is resonable; For god unto the goode is favorable.

King Salomon, which hadde at his askinge Of god, what thing him was levest to crave, 30 He chees wysdom unto the governinge Of goddes folk, the whiche he wolde save; And as he chees, it fil him for to have; For through his wit, whyl that his regne laste, He gat him pees and reste, unto the laste. 35

But Alisaundre, as telleth his historie, Unto the god besoughte in other weye, Of al the worlde to winne the victorie, So that under his swerde it might[e] obeye; In werre he hadde al that he wolde preye. 40 The mighty god behight[e] him that behest; The world he wan, and hadde it of conquest.

But though it fil at thilke tyme so, That Alisaundre his asking hath acheved, This sinful world was al[le] payën tho; 45 Was noon whiche hath the highe god beleved; No wonder was, though thilke world was greved. Though a tyraunt his purpos mighte winne, Al was vengeaunce, and infortune of sinne.

But now the faith of Crist is come a-place 50 Among the princes in this erthe here, It sit hem wel to do pitè and grace, But yet it mot be tempred in manere. For as they fynden cause in the matere Upon the poynt, what afterward betyde, 55 The lawe of right shal nat be layd a-syde.

So may a king of werre the viage Ordayne and take, as he therto is holde, To clayme and aske his rightful heritage In alle places wher it is with-holde. 60 But other-wyse, if god him-selve wolde Afferme love and pees bitween the kinges, Pees is the beste, above alle erthly thinges.

Good is t'eschewe werre, and nathelees A king may make werre upon his right; 65 For of bataile the fynal ende is pees; Thus stant the lawe, that a worthy knight Upon his trouthe may go to the fight. But-if so were that he mighte chese, Betre is the pees of which may no man lese. 70

To stere pees oughte every man on-lyve, First, for to sette his liege lord in reste, And eek these othre men, that they ne stryve; For so this land may standen atte beste. What king that wolde be the worthieste, 75 The more he mighte our deedly werre cese, The more he shulde his worthinesse encrese.

Pees is the cheef of al the worldes welthe, And to the heven it ledeth eek the way; Pees is of soule and lyfe the mannes helthe 80 Of pestilence, and doth the werre away. My liege lord, tak hede of that I say, If werre may be left, tak pees on honde, Which may nat be withoute goddes sonde.

With pees stant every crëature in reste, 85 Withoute pees ther may no lyf be glad; Above al other good, pees is the beste; Pees hath him-self, whan werre is al bestad; The pees is sauf, the werre is ever adrad. Pees is of al[le] charitè the keye, 90 Whiche hath the lyf and soule for to weye.

My liege lord, if that thee list to seche The sothe ensamples, what the werre hath wrought, Thou shalt wel here, of wyse mennes speche, That deedly werre tourneth in-to nought. 95 For if these olde bokes be wel sought, Ther might thou see what thing the werre hath do Bothe of conquest and conquerour also.

For vayne honóur, or for the worldes good, They that whylom the stronge werres made, 100 Wher be they now? Bethink wel, in thy mood, The day is goon, the night is derke and fade; Hir crueltè, which made hem thanne glade, They sorowen now, and yet have naught the more; The blood is shad, which no man may restore. 105

The werre is moder of the wronges alle; It sleeth the preest in holy chirche at masse, Forlyth the mayde, and doth her flour to falle. The werre maketh the grete citee lasse, And doth the lawe his reules overpasse. 110 Ther is nothing, wherof mescheef may growe Whiche is not caused of the werre, I trowe.

The werre bringth in póverte at his heles, Wherof the comun people is sore greved; The werre hath set his cart on thilke wheles 115 Wher that fortune may not be beleved. For whan men wene best to have acheved, Ful ofte it is al newe to beginne; The werre hath nothing siker, thogh he winne.

For-thy, my worthy prince, in Cristes halve, 120 As for a part whos fayth thou hast to gyde, Ley to this olde sore a newe salve, And do the werre away, what-so betyde. Purchace pees, and sette it by thy syde, And suffre nat thy people be devoured; 125 So shal thy name ever after stande honóured!

If any man be now, or ever was Ayein the pees thy prevy counsaylour, Let god be of thy counsayl in this cas, And put away the cruel werreyour. 130 For god, whiche is of man the creatour, He wolde not men slowe his crëature Withoute cause of deedly forfayture.

Wher nedeth most, behoveth most to loke; My lord, how so thy werres be withoute, 135 Of tyme passed who that hede toke, Good were at home to see right wel aboute; For evermore the worste is for to doute. But, if thou mightest parfit pees attayne, Ther shulde be no cause for to playne. 140

Aboute a king, good counsayl is to preyse Above al othre thinges most vailable; But yet a king within him-self shal peyse And seen the thinges that be resonable. And ther-upon he shal his wittes stable 145 Among the men to sette pees in evene, For love of him whiche is the king of hevene.

A! wel is him that shedde never blood But-if it were in cause of rightwysnesse! For if a king the peril understood 150 What is to slee the people, thanne, I gesse, The deedly werres and the hevinesse Wher-of the pees distourbed is ful ofte, Shulde at som tyme cesse and wexe softe.

O king! fulfilled of grace and of knighthode, 155 Remembre upon this poynt, for Cristes sake; If pees be profred unto thy manhode, Thyn honour sauf, let it nat be forsake! Though thou the werres darst wel undertake, After resoun yet temper thy corage; 160 For lyk to pees ther is non avauntage.

My worthy lord, thenk wel, how-so befalle Of thilke lore, as holy bokes sayn; Crist is the heed, and we be membres alle, As wel the subject as the soverayn. 165 So sit it wel, that charitè be playn, Whiche unto god him-selve most accordeth, So as the lore of Cristes word recordeth.

In th'olde lawe, or Crist him-self was bore, Among the ten comaundëments, I rede, 170 How that manslaughter shulde be forbore; Such was the wil, that tyme, of the godhede. But afterward, whan Crist took his manhede, Pees was the firste thing he leet do crye Ayenst the worldes rancour and envye. 175

And, or Crist wente out of this erthe here, And stigh to heven, he made his testament, Wher he bequath to his disciples there And yaf his pees, which is the foundement Of charitè, withouten whos assent 180 The worldes pees may never wel be tryed, Ne lovë kept, ne lawë justifyed.

The Jewes with the payens hadden werre, But they among hem-self stode ever in pees; Why shulde than our pees stonde out of herre, 185 Which Crist hath chose unto his owne encrees? For Crist is more than was Moÿses; And Crist hath set the parfit of the lawe, The whiche shulde in no wyse be withdrawe.

To yeve us pees was causë why Crist dyde, 190 Withoute pees may nothing stonde avayled; But now a man may see on every syde How Cristes fayth is every day assayled, With the payens distroyed, and so batayled That, for defaute of helpe and of defence, 195 Unneth hath Crist his dewe reverence.

The righte fayth to kepe of holy chirche The firste poynt is named of knighthode; And every man is holde for to wirche Upon the poynt that stant to his manhode. 200 But now, alas! the fame is spred so brode That every man this thing [alday] complayneth; And yet is ther no man that help ordayneth.

The worldes cause is wayted over-al; Ther be the werres redy, to the fulle; 205 But Cristes owne cause in special, Ther ben the swerdes and the speres dulle. And with the sentence of the popes bulle As for to doon the folk payën obeye, The chirche is tourned al another weye. 210

It is wonder, above any mannes wit, Withoute werre how Cristes fayth was wonne; And we that been upon this erthë yit Ne kepe it nat as it was first begonne. To every crëature under the sonne 215 Crist bad him-self, how that we shulde preche, And to the folke his evangely teche.

More light it is to kepe than to make; But that we founden mad to-fore the hond We kepe nat, but lete it lightly slake; 220 The pees of Crist hath al to-broke his bond. We reste our-self, and suffren every lond To slee eche other as thing undefended; So stant the werre, and pees is nat amended.

But though the heed of holy chirche above 225 Ne do nat al his hole businesse Among the men to sette pees and love, These kinges oughten, of hir rightwysnesse, Hir owne cause among hem-self redresse. Thogh Peters ship, as now, hath lost his stere, 230 It lyth in hem that barge for to stere.

If holy chirche after the dewetè Of Cristes word ne be nat al avysed To make pees, accord, and unitè Among the kinges that be now devysed, 235 Yet, natheles, the lawë stant assysed Of mannes wit, to be so resonable Withoute that to stande hem-selve stable.

Of holy chirche we ben children alle, And every child is holde for to bowe 240 Unto the moder, how that ever it falle, Or elles he mot reson disalowe. And, for that cause, a knight shal first avowe The right of holy chirche to defende, That no man shal the privilege offende. 245

Thus were it good to setten al in evene The worldes princes and the prelats bothe, For love of him whiche is the king of hevene; And if men shulde algate wexen wrothe, The Sarazins, whiche unto Crist ben lothe, 250 Let men be armed ayenst hem to fighte, So may the knight his dede of armes righte.

Upon three poynts stant Cristes pees oppressed; First, holy chirche is in her-self devyded; Which oughte, of reson, first to be redressed; 255 But yet so high a cause is nat decyded. And thus, whan humble pacience is pryded, The remenaunt, which that they shulde reule, No wonder is, though it stande out of reule.

Of that the heed is syk, the limmes aken; 260 These regnes, that to Cristes pees belongen, For worldes good, these deedly werres maken, Which helpelees, as in balaunce, hongen. The heed above hem hath nat underfongen To sette pees, but every man sleeth other; 265 And in this wyse hath charitè no brother.

The two defautes bringen in the thridde Of miscreants, that seen how we debate; Between the two, they fallen in a-midde Wher now al-day they fynde an open gate. 270 Lo! thus the deedly werre stant al-gate. But ever I hopë of king Henries grace, That he it is which shal the pees embrace.

My worthy noble prince, and king anoynt, Whom god hath, of his grace, so preserved, 275 Behold and see the world upon this poynt, As for thy part, that Cristes pees be served. So shal thy highe mede be reserved To him, whiche al shal quyten atte laste; For this lyf herë may no whyle laste. 280

See Alisandre, Hector, and Julius, See Machabeus, David, and Josuë, See Charlemayne, Godfray, and Arthus Fulfild of werre and of mortalitee! Hir fame abit, but al is vanitee; 285 For deth, whiche hath the werres under fote, Hath mad an ende, of which ther is no bote.

So may a man the sothe wite and knowe, That pees is good for every king to have; The fortune of the werre is ever unknowe, 290 But wher pees is, ther ben the marches save. That now is up, to-morwe is under grave. The mighty god hath alle grace in honde; Withouten him, men may nat longe stonde.

Of the tenetz to winne or lese a chace 295 May no lyf wite, or that the bal be ronne; Al stant in god, what thing men shal purchace: Th'ende is in him, or that it be begonne; Men sayn, the wolle, whan it is wel sponne, Doth that the cloth is strong and profitable, 300 And elles it may never be durable.

The worldes chaunces upon aventure Ben ever set; but thilke chaunce of pees Is so behovely to the crëature That it above al other is peerlees. 305 But it may nat +be gete, nathelees, Among the men to lasten any whyle, But wher the herte is playn, withoute gyle.

The pees is as it were a sacrament To-fore the god, and shal with wordes playne 310 Withouten any double entendëment Be treted; for the trouthe can nat feyne. But if the men within hem-self be vayne, The substaunce of the pees may nat be trewe, But every day it chaungeth upon newe. 315

But who that is of charitè parfyte, He voydeth alle sleightes fer aweye, And set his word upon the same plyte Wher that his herte hath founde a siker weye; And thus, whan conscience is trewly weye, 320 And that the pees be handled with the wyse, It shal abyde and stande, in alle wyse.

Th'apostel sayth, ther may no lyf be good Whiche is nat grounded upon charitè; For charitè ne shedde never blood. 325 So hath the werre, as ther, no propertè; For thilke vertue which is sayd 'pitè' With charitè so ferforth is acquaynted That in her may no fals sembla[u]nt be paynted.

Cassodore, whos wryting is authorysed 330 Sayth: 'wher that pitè regneth, ther is grace'; Through which the pees hath al his welthe assysed, So that of werre he dredeth no manace. Wher pitè dwelleth, in the same place Ther may no deedly crueltè sojourne 335 Wherof that mercy shulde his wey[e] tourne.

To see what pitè, forth with mercy, doth, The cronique is at Rome, in thilke empyre Of Constantyn, which is a tale soth, Whan him was lever his owne deth desyre 340 Than do the yonge children to martyre. Of crueltee he lefte the quarele; Pitè he wroughte, and pitè was his hele.

For thilke mannes pitè which he dede God was pitous, and made him hool at al; 345 Silvester cam, and in the same stede Yaf him baptyme first in special, Which dide away the sinne original, And al his lepre it hath so purifyed, That his pitè for ever is magnifyed. 350

Pitè was cause why this emperour Was hool in body and in soule bothe; And Rome also was set in thilke honour Of Cristes fayth, so that the leve, of lothe Whiche hadden be with Crist tofore wrothe, 355 Receyved werë unto Cristes lore. Thus shal pitè be praysed evermore.

My worthy liege lord, Henry by name, Which Engëlond hast to governe and righte, Men oughten wel thy pitè to proclame, 360 Which openliche, in al the worldes sighte, Is shewed, with the helpe of god almighte, To yeve us pees, which long hath be debated, Wherof thy prys shal never be abated.

My lord, in whom hath ever yet be founde 365 Pitè, withoute spotte of violence, Keep thilke pees alway, withinne bounde, Which god hath planted in thy conscience. So shal the cronique of thy pacience Among the saynts be take in-to memórie 370 To the loënge of perdurable glorie.

And to thyn erthely prys, so as I can, Whiche every man is holde to commende, I Gower, which am al thy liege man, This lettre unto thyn excellence I sende, 375 As I, whiche ever unto my lyves ende Wol praye for the stat of thy persone, In worshipe of thy sceptre and of thy trone.

Nat only to my king of pees I wryte, But to these othre princes Cristen alle, 380 That eche of hem his owne herte endyte And cese the werre, or more mescheef falle. Set eek the rightful pope upon his stalle; Keep charitè, and draw pitè to honde, Maynteyne lawe; and so the pees shal stonde. 385

EXPLICIT CARMEN DE PACIS COMMENDACIONE, QUOD AD LAUDEM ET MEMORIAM SERENISSIMI PRINCIPIS DOMINI REGIS HENRICI QUARTI, SUUS HUMILIS ORATOR JOHANNES GOWER COMPOSUIT.

Electus Christi, pie rex Henrice, fuisti, Qui bene venisti, cum propria regna petisti; Tu mala vicisti -que bonis bona restituisti, Et populo tristi nova gaudia contribuisti.

Est mihi spes lata, quod adhuc per te renovata 390 Succedent fata veteri probitate beata; Est tibi nam grata gratia sponte data.

Henrici quarti primus regni fuit annus Quo mihi defecit visus ad acta mea. Omnia tempus habent, finem natura ministrat, 395 Quem virtute sua frangere nemo potest. Ultra posse nihil, quamvis mihi velle remansit, Amplius ut scribam non mihi posse manet. Dum potui, scripsi, sed nunc quia curua senectus Turbauit sensus, scripta relinquo scolis. 400 Scribat qui veniet post me discretior alter, Ammodo namque manus et mea penna silent. Hoc tamen in fine verborum queso meorum, Prospera quod statuat regna futura deus.

¶ _Explicit._

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532.); _corrected by_ T. (Trentham MS.) _I give the rejected spellings of_ Th. (Thynne), _except where they are corrected by the_ MS.

1. T. worthi noble. 3. T. _om._ here. 4. _Both_ the. T. chose; Th. chosen. 9. T. regalie; Th. regaly. 11. T. iustifie; Th. iustify. 12. T. ancestrie; Th. auncestry. 17. T. boun; Th. bounde. 20. T. wirche.

26. T. Axe; Th. Aske. 27. T. reqwest; Th. request. (_Perhaps read_--Of no request the whiche is resonable.) 29. T. axinge; Th. askyng. 30. Th. _om._ to. 31. T. ches; Th. chase. Th. _om._ the. 33. T. ches; Th. chase. 35. T. gat; Th. gate. T. pes; Th. peace. _So_ T.; Th. in-to his last. 36. T. histoire; Th. storie. 39. T. might; Th. myght. 41. _Both_ behight. T. beheste. 42. Th. _om._ he. _Both_ had. T. conqweste. 44. T. axinge. T. achieued; Th. atcheued. 45. _Both_ al. T. paiene; Th. paynem. 46. T. belieued. 47. T. grieued. 48. T. mihte; Th. might. 50. T. feith; Th. faithe. 53. T. mot; Th. must. 54. Th. _om._ as.

56. T. leid; Th. layde. 57. T. viage: Th. voyage. 59. T. axe. 61. T. silve; Th. selfe. 62, 63. T. pes; Th. peace. 70. T. Betre; Th. Better. 71. _Both_ peace. T. euery man; Th. eueriche. T. alyue. 74. Th. lande; T. world. 76. T. cesse; Th. cease. 77. T. encresse; Th. encrease. 78. T. chief; Th. chefe. 79, 81, 82. T. weie, aweie, seie. 83. _Both_ lefte.

90. _Both_ al. 92. _Both_ the. 93. T. that; Th. what. 96. T. soght; Th. ysought. 97. _Both_ se. 98. T. conqueste. 101. T. bethenk. 102. _Both_ gone. 103. _Both_ Her. 108. T. _om._ doth; Th. dothe. 110. _Both_ dothe. T. reules; Th. rules. 111. T. meschef; Th. myschefe. 113. T. bringth; Th. bringeth. 114. T. comon; Th. co_m_men. 121. T. to; Th. be.

129. T. Lete; Th. Lette. 130. Th. crewel warryour. 132. Th. slough. 136. T. than; Th. that. 137. _Both_ se. 146. T. euene; Th. euyn. 147. T. heuene; Th. heuyn. 148. T. Ha. 153. Th. _om._ the. 155. Th. _om. 2nd_ of.

160. T. reson; Th. reason. 162. T. thenke; Th. thynke. 165. T. the subiit; Th. be subiecte. 169. T. er. 173. T. aftirwards; Th. afterwarde. 174. T. let; Th. lette. 176. T. er. 177. Th. styghed. 183. T. paiens; Th. paynyms. 185. Th. erre (!). 192. T. sen; Th. se. 194. Th. paynems. T. destruied.

200. Th. that; T. which. 201. T. helas; T. sprad. 202. _I supply_ alday. 203. Th. that; T. which. 209. T. do; Th. done. T. paien; Th. payne (_for_ payen). 211. T. to wonder; Th. wonder. _For_ any _read_ a? 216. Th. _om._ how. 217. T. euangile. 219. _Both_ made. Th. _om._ the. 222. Th. selfe; T. selue. 227. T. men; Th. people.

231. Th. the (_for_ that). 232. Th. dewte; T. duete. 238. T. hem-selue; Th. him-selfe. 242. Th. must. 246. T. _om._ good. T. euene; Th. euyn. 248. T. heuene; Th. heuyn. 253. _Both_ thre. 254. Th. _om._ is. 256. _Both_ highe. 260. T. sick; Th. sicke. 263. Th. helplesse; T. heliples.

269. _Both_ Betwene. 274. T. enoignt. 276. _Both_ Beholde; se. 278. Th. deserved (!). 280. _Both_ lyfe. 281. T. Ector. 282. T. Machabeu. 283. T. Godefroi Arthus. 287. _Both_ made. 288. T. mai; Th. many (!). 289. T. man (_for_ king). 291. Th. is (_for_ ben). 292. T. _om._ up. 295. T. tenetz; Th. tennes. 296, 298. T. er (_for_ or).

305. Th. is (_for_ it). Th. _om._ is. T. piereles; Th. peerles. 306. _Both_ begete; _read_ be gete. 316. T. perfit. 318. T. plit. 321. Th. these (_for_ the pees). Th. ben. 326. T. proprite. 329. _Both_ semblant. 330. T. Cassodre. _Both_ writinge. T. auctorized. 331. Th. _om._ ther.

336. T. wei; Th. way. 337. _Both_ se. 342. T. crualte; Th. creweltie. 347. T. baptisme. 359. Th. England. 370. T. seintz; Th. sayntes. T. memoire; Th. memory. 371. T. loenge; Th. legende (!). T. gloire; Th. glory.

378. Th. _om. 2nd_ of. _Both_ throne. 382. T. sese (_for_ cese); Th. se (!). T. er (_for_ or). T. meschiefe; Th. myschefe. 383. _Both_ Sette. 384. T. draugh. 385. T. Maintene; Th. Maynteyn. 399. Th. curua; T. torua.

* * * * *

V. THOMAS HOCCLEVE.

THE LETTER OF CUPID.

LITERA CUPIDINIS, DEI AMORIS, DIRECTA SUBDITIS SUIS AMATORIBUS.

Cupido, unto whos comaundëment The gentil kinrede of goddes on hy And people infernal been obedient, And mortel folk al serven besily, The goddesse sonë Cithera soothly, 5 To alle tho that to our deitee Ben sugets, hertly greting sende we!

In general, we wolë that ye knowe That ladies of honour and reverence, And other gentil women, haven sowe 10 Such seed of compleynt in our audience Of men that doon hem outrage and offence, That it our eres greveth for to here; So pitous is th'effect of this matere.

Passing al londes, on the litel yle 15 That cleped is Albion they most compleyne; They seyn, that there is croppe and rote of gyle. So conne tho men dissimulen and feyne With stonding dropes in hir eyen tweyne, When that hir hertes feleth no distresse, 20 To blinden women with hir doublenesse.

Hir wordes spoken ben so syghingly, With so pitousë chere and contenaunce, That every wight that meneth trewely Demeth that they in herte have such grevaunce; 25 They seyn so importáble is hir penaunce That, but hir lady lust to shewe hem grace, They right anoon +mot sterven in the place.

'A, lady myn!' they seyn, 'I yow ensure, As doth me grace, and I shal ever be, 30 Whyl that my lyf may lasten and endure, To yow as humble and lowe in ech degree As possible is, and kepe al thing secree Right as your-selven liste that I do; And elles moot myn herte breste a-two.' 35

Ful hard it is to knowe a mannes herte; For outward may no man the trouthe deme; When word out of his mouthe may noon asterte But it by reson any wight shuld queme, So is it seyd of herte, as hit wolde seme. 40 O feythful woman, ful of innocence, Thou art deceyved by fals apparence!

By proces women, meved of pitee, Wening that al thing were as thise men sey, They graunte hem grace of hir benignitee 45 For that men shulde nat for hir sake dey; And with good herte sette hem in the wey Of blisful lovë--kepe it if they conne; Thus other-whylë women beth y-wonne.

And whan this man the pot hath by the stele, 50 And fully is in his possessioun, With that woman he kepeth not to dele, After if he may fynden in the toun Any woman, his blinde affeccioun On to bestowë; evel mote he preve! 55 A man, for al his othes, is hard to leve!

And, for that every fals man hath a make, (As un-to every wight is light to knowe), Whan this traitour this woman hath forsake, He faste him spedeth un-to his felowe; 60 Til he be there, his herte is on a lowe; His fals deceyt ne may him not suffyse, But of his treson telleth al the wyse.

Is this a fair avaunt? is this honour, A man him-self accuse thus, and diffame? 65 Now is it good, confesse him a traitour, And bringe a woman to a sclandrous name, And telle how he her body hath do shame? No worship may he thus to him conquere, But greet esclaundre un-to him and here! 70

To herë? Nay, yet was it no repreef; For al for vertu was it that she wroughte; But he that brewed hath al this mischeef, That spak so faire, and falsly inward thoughte, His be the sclaundre, as it by reson oughte, 75 And un-to her a thank perpetuel, That in a nede helpe can so wel!

Althogh of men, through sleyght and sotiltee, A sely, simple, and innocent woman Betrayed is, no wonder, sith the citee 80 Of Troye--as that the storie telle can-- Betrayed was, through the disceyt of man, And set on fyre, and al doun over-throwe, And finally destroyed, as men knowe.

Betrayen men not citees grete, and kinges? 85 What wight is that can shape remedye Ageynes thise falsly purpósed thinges? Who can the craft such craftes to espye But man, whos wit ay redy is t'aplye To thing that souneth in-to hy falshede? 90 Women, beth ware of mennes sleight, I rede!

And furthermore han thise men in usage That, where as they not lykly been to spede, Suche as they been with a double visage They prócuren, for to pursewe hir nede; 95 He prayeth him in his causë to procede, And largely guerdoneth he his travayle; Smal witen wommen how men hem assayle!

Another wrecche un-to his felowe seyth: 'Thou fisshest faire! She that thee hath fyred 100 Is fals and inconstaunt, and hath no feyth. She for the rode of folke is so desyred And, as an hors, fro day to day is hyred That, when thou twinnest fro hir companye, Another comth, and blered is thyn eyë! 105

'Now prikke on fastë, and ryd thy journey Whyl thou art there; for she, behind thy bak, So liberal is, she wol no wight with-sey, But smertly of another take a snak; For thus thise wommen faren, al the pak! 110 Who-so hem trusteth, hanged mote he be! Ay they desyren chaunge and noveltee!'

Wher-of procedeth this but of envye? For he him-selve her ne winne may, He speketh her repreef and vileinye, 115 As mannes blabbing tonge is wont alway. Thus dyvers men ful often make assay For to distourben folk in sondry wyse, For they may not acheven hir empryse.

Ful many a man eek wolde, for no good, 120 (That hath in love his tyme spent and used) Men wiste, his lady his axing withstood, And that he were of her pleynly refused, Or wast and veyn were al that he had mused; Wherfore he can no better remedye 125 But on his lady shapeth him to lye:

'Every womman,' he seyth, 'is light to gete; Can noon sey "nay," if she be wel y-soght. Who-so may leyser han, with her to trete, Of his purpós ne shal he faile noght, 130 But he on madding be so depe y-broght That he shende al with open hoomlinesse; That loven wommen nat, as that I gesse!'

To sclaundre wommen thus, what may profyte To gentils namely, that hem armen sholde, 135 And in defence of wommen hem delyte As that the ordre of gentilesse wolde? If that a man list gentil to be holde, He moot flee al that ther-to is contrarie; A sclaundring tonge is his grete adversarie. 140

A foul vice is of tonge to be light; For who-so michel clappeth, gabbeth ofte. The tonge of man so swift is and so wight That, whan it is areysed up-on lofte, Resoun it seweth so slowly and softe, 145 That it him never over-take may: Lord! so thise men ben trusty in assay!

Al-be-it that man fynde oo woman nyce, Inconstant, rechelees, or variable, Deynouse or proud, fulfilled of malyce, 150 Withouten feyth or love, and deceyvable, Sly, queynt, and fals, in al unthrift coupable, Wikked and feers, and ful of crueltee. It foloweth nat that swiche al wommen be.

Whan that the high god aungels formed had, 155 Among hem alle whether ther werë noon That founden was malicious and bad? Yis! al men woot that ther was many oon That, for hir pryde, fil from heven anoon. Shul men therfore alle aungels proude name? 160 Nay! he that that susteneth is to blame.

Of twelve apostels oon a traitour was; The remënant yit godë were and trewe. Than, if it happe men fyndë, per cas, Oo womman fals, swich good is for t'eschewe, 165 And deme nat that they ben alle untrewe. I see wel mennes owne falsenesse Hem causeth wommen for to trusten lesse.

O! every man oghte have an herte tendre Unto womman, and deme her honurable, 170 Whether his shap be outher thikke or slendre, Or be he bad or good; this is no fable. Every man woot, that wit hath resonable, That of a womman he descended is: Than is it shame, of her to speke amis. 175

A wikked tree good fruit may noon forth bring, For swich the fruit is, as that is the tree. Tak hede of whom thou took thy biginning; Lat thy moder be mirour unto thee. Honoure her, if thou wolt honoured be! 180 Dispyse thou her nat, in no manere, Lest that ther-by thy wikkednesse appere!

An old provérbë seyd is in English: Men seyn, 'that brid or foul is dishonest, What that he be, and holden ful churlish, 185 That useth to defoule his owne nest.' Men, to sey wel of wommen it is best, And nat for to despyse hem ne deprave, If that they wole hir honour kepe and save.

Thise ladies eek compleynen hem on clerkes 190 That they han maad bokës of hir diffame, In which they lakken wommen and hir werkes And speken of hem greet repreef and shame, And causëlees yive hem a wikked name. Thus they despysed been on every syde, 195 And sclaundred, and bilowen on ful wyde.

The sory bokes maken mencioun How they betrayden, in especial, Adam, David, Sampsoun, and Salamoun, And many oon mo; who may rehersen al 200 The treson that they havë doon, and shal? The world hir malice may not comprehende; As that thise clerkes seyn, it hath non ende.

Ovyde, in his boke called 'Remedye Of Lovë,' greet repreef of wommen wryteth; 205 Wherin, I trowe, he dide greet folye, And every wight that in such cas delyteth. A clerkes custom is, whan he endyteth Of wommen, be it prose, or ryme, or vers, Sey they ben wikke, al knowe he the revers. 210

And that book scolers lerne in hir childhede, For they of wommen be war sholde in age, And for to love hem ever been in drede, Sin to deceyve is set al hir corage. They seyn, peril to caste is avantage, 215 And namely, suche as men han in be wrapped; For many a man by woman hath mishapped.

No charge is, what-so that thise clerkes seyn; Of al hir wrong wryting I do no cure; Al hir travayle and labour is in veyn. 220 For, betwex me and my lady Nature, Shal nat be suffred, whyl the world may dure, Thise clerkes, by hir cruel tyrannye, Thus upon wommen kythen hir maistrye.

Whylom ful many of hem were in my cheyne 225 Y-tyed, and now, what for unweldy age And for unlust, may not to love atteyne, And seyn, that love is but verray dotage. Thus, for that they hem-self lakken corage, They folk excyten, by hir wikked sawes, 230 For to rebelle agayn me and my lawes.

But, maugre hem that blamen wommen most, Suche is the force of myn impressioun, That sodeinly I felle can hir bost And al hir wrong imaginacioun. 235 It shal not been in hir eleccioun The foulest slutte of al a toun refuse, If that me list, for al that they can muse;

But her in herte as brenningly desyre As thogh she were a duchesse or a quene; 240 So can I folkes hertes sette on fyre, And (as me list) hem sende joye or tene. They that to wommen been y-whet so kene My sharpe persing strokes, how they smyte, Shul fele and knowe; and how they kerve and byte. 245

Perdee, this grete clerk, this sotil Ovyde And many another han deceyved be Of wommen, as it knowen is ful wyde; Wot no man more; and that is greet deyntee, So excellent a clerk as that was he, 250 And other mo that coude so wel preche Betrapped were, for aught they coude teche.

And trusteth wel, that it is no mervayle; For wommen knewen pleynly hir entente. They wiste how sotilly they coude assayle 255 Hem, and what falshood they in herte mente; And thise clerkes they in hir daunger hente. With oo venym another was distroyed; And thus thise clerkes often were anoyed.

Thise ladies ne thise gentils, nevertheles, 260 Were noon of tho that wroughten in this wyse; But swiche filthes as were vertules They quitten thus thise olde clerkes wyse. To clerkes forthy lesse may suffyse Than to deprave wommen generally; 265 For worship shul they gete noon therby.

If that thise men, that lovers hem pretende, To wommen weren feythful, gode, and trewe, And dredde hem to deceyven or offende, Wommen to love hem wolde nat eschewe. 270 But every day hath man an herte newe; It upon oon abyde can no whyle. What fors is it, swich a wight to begyle?

Men beren eek thise wommen upon honde That lightly, and withouten any peyne, 275 They wonne been; they can no wight withstonde That his disese list to hem compleyne. They been so freel, they mowe hem nat refreyne; But who-so lyketh may hem lightly have; So been hir hertes esy in to grave. 280

To maister Iohn de Meun, as I suppose, Than it was a lewd occupacioun In making of the Romance of the Rose; So many a sly imaginacioun And perils for to rollen up and doun, 285 So long proces, so many a sly cautele For to deceyve a sely damosele!

Nat can I seen, ne my wit comprehende That art and peyne and sotiltee sholde fayle For to conquére, and sone make an ende, 290 Whan man a feble place shal assayle; And sone also to venquisshe a batayle Of which no wight dar maken resistence, Ne herte hath noon to stonden at defence.

Than moot it folwen of necessitee, 295 Sin art asketh so greet engyn and peyne A womman to disceyve, what she be, Of constauncë they been not so bareyne As that somme of thise sotil clerkes feyne; But they ben as that wommen oghten be, 300 Sad, constant, and fulfilled of pitee.

How frendly was Medea to Jasoun In the conquéring of the flees of gold! How falsly quitte he her affeccioun By whom victórie he gat, as he hath wold! 305 How may this man, for shame, be so bold To falsen her, that from his dethe and shame Him kepte, and gat him so gret prys and name?

Of Troye also the traitour Eneas, The feythles wrecche, how hath he him forswore 310 To Dido, that queen of Cartágë was, That him releved of his smertes sore! What gentilesse might she han doon more Than she with herte unfeyned to him kidde? And what mischeef to her ther-of betidde! 315

In my Legende of Martres men may fynde (Who-so that lyketh therin for to rede) That ooth noon ne behest may no man bynde; Of reprevable shame han they no drede. In mannes herte trouthe hath no stede; 320 The soil is noght, ther may no trouthe growe! To womman namely it is nat unknowe.

Clerkes seyn also: 'ther is no malyce Unto wommannes crabbed wikkednesse!' O woman! How shalt thou thy-self chevyce, 325 Sin men of thee so muchel harm witnesse? No fors! Do forth! Takë no hevinesse! Kepë thyn ownë, what men clappe or crake; And somme of hem shul smerte, I undertake!

Malyce of wommen, what is it to drede? 330 They slee no men, distroyen no citees; They not oppressen folk ne overlede, Betraye empyres, remes, ne duchees, Ne men bereve hir landes ne hir mees, Empoyson folk, ne houses sette on fyre, 335 Ne false contractes maken for non hyre!

Trust, perfit love, and entere charitee, Fervent wil, and entalented corage To thewes gode, as it sit wel to be, Han wommen ay, of custome and usage; 340 And wel they can a mannes ire aswage With softe wordes discreet and benigne; What they be inward, sheweth outward signe.

Wommannes herte un-to no crueltee Enclyned is, but they ben charitable, 345 Pitous, devout, fulle of humilitee, Shamfaste, debonaire, and amiable, Dredful, and of hir wordes mesurable: What womman thise hath not, peraventure, Ne folweth nat the wey of her nature. 350

Men seyn: 'our firste moder, natheles, Made al man-kynde lese his libertee, And naked it of joye, douteles; For goddes hestes disobeyed she, Whan she presumed tasten of a tree, 355 Which god forbad that she nat ete of sholde; And, nad the devel been, namore she wolde.'

Th' envýous swelling that the feend, our fo, Had unto man in herte, for his welthe, Sente a serpent, and made her for to go 360 To disceyve Eve; and thus was mannes helthe Beraft him by the fende, right in a stelthe, The womman noght knowing of the deceyt; God wot, ful fer was it from her conceyt.

Wherfore I sey, this godë womman Eve 365 Our fader Adam ne deceyved noght. Ther may no man for a deceyt it preve Proprely, but-if that she, in her thoght, Had it compassed first, er it was wroght; And, for swich was nat her impressioun, 370 Men calle it may no déceyt, by resoun.

No wight deceyveth but he it purpóse; The feend this déceyt caste, and nothing she. Than is it wrong to demen or suppose That she sholde of this harm the cause be. 375 Wyteth the feend, and his be the maugree; And for excused have her innocence, Sauf only that she brak obedience.

And touching this, ful fewe men ther been, Unnethes any, dar I saufly seye-- 380 Fro day to day, as that men mow wel seen, But that the hest of god they disobeye. Have this in mynde, sires, I yow preye; If that ye be discreet and resonable, Ye wol her holde the more excusable. 385

And wher men seyn, 'in man is stedfastnesse, And woman is of her corage unstable,' Who may of Adam bere swich witnesse? Telleth me this:--was he nat chaungeable? They bothe weren in a caas semblable, 390 Sauf willingly the feend deceyved Eve, And so did she nat Adam, by your leve.

Yet was this sinne happy to mankynde, The feend deceyved was, for al his sleight; For aught he coude him in his sleightes wynde, 395 God, to discharge mankynde of the weight Of his trespas, cam doun from hevenes height, And flesh and blood he took of a virgyne, And suffred deeth, him to deliver of pyne.

And god, to whom ther may nothing hid be, 400 If he in woman knowe had such malyce As men of hem recorde in generaltee, Of our lady, of lyf reparatryce, Nolde han be born; but, for that she of vyce Was voyde, and of al vertu (wel he wiste) 405 Endowed, of her to be bore him liste.

Her heped vertu hath swich excellence That al to lene is mannes facultee To déclare it, and therfor in suspence Her duë preysing put mot nedes be. 410 But this we witen verrayly, that she, Next god, the best frend is that to man longeth; The key of mercy by her girdil hongeth.

And of mercy hath every man swich nede That, cessing that, farwel the joye of man! 415 Of her power now taketh right good hede; She mercy may, wol, and purchace can. Displese her nat, honoureth that womman, And other wommen alle, for her sake! And, but ye do, your sorowe shal awake. 420

Thou precious gemme, O martir Margarete, Of thy blood draddest noon effusioun! Thy martirdom ne may I nat foryete; Thou, constant womman in thy passioun, Overcoom the feendes temptacioun; 425 And many a wight converted thy doctryne Unto the feith of god, holy virgyne!

But understondeth, I commende hir noght By enchesoun of hir virginitee; Trusteth right wel, it cam not in my thoght; 430 For ever I werrey ayein chastitee, And ever shal; but this, lo! meveth me, Her loving herte and constant to her lay Dryve out of rémembrauncë I ne may.

In any boke also wher can ye fynde, 435 That of the werkes or the dethe or lyf Of Jesu speketh, or maketh any mynde, That womman him forsook, for wo or stryf? Wher was ther any wight so ententyf Abouten him as wommen? Pardee, noon! 440 Th'apostels him forsoken, everichoon.

Womman forsook him noght; for al the feyth Of holy chirche in womman lefte only. This is no lees, for holy writ thus seyth; Loke, and ye shal so fynde it, hardely. 445 And therfore it may preved be therby, That in womman regneth stable constaunce And in men is the chaunge and variaunce!

Now holdeth this for ferme and for no lye, That this trewe and just commendacioun 450 Of wommen is nat told for flaterye, Ne to cause hem pryde or elacioun, But only, lo! for this entencioun, To yeve hem corage of perseveraunce In vertu, and hir honour to enhaunce. 455

The more vertu, the lasse is the pryde; Vertu so digne is, and so noble in kynde That vyce and she wol not in-fere abyde. She putteth vyce clene out of her mynde, She fleeth from him, she leveth him behynde. 460 O womman, that of vertu art hostesse, Greet is thyn honour and thy worthinesse!

Than wol we thus concluden and diffyne: We yow comaunde, our ministres, echoon That redy been to our hestes enclyne, 465 That of thise false men, our rebel foon, Ye do punisshëment, and that anoon! Voide hem our court and banish hem for ever So that ther-inne they ne come never.

Fulfilled be it, cessing al delay; 470 Look that ther be non excusacioun. Writen in th'ayr, the lusty month of May, In our paleys (wher many a millioun Of loveres trewe han habitacioun) The yere of grace joyful and jocounde 475 A thousand and foure hundred and secounde.

EXPLICIT LITERA CUPIDINIS, DEI AMORIS, DIRECTA SUIS SUBDITIS AMATORIBUS.

From F (Fairfax); various readings from B (Bodley 638); T (Tanner 346); S (Arch. Selden B. 24); A (Ashburnham MS.); Tr. (Trin. Coll. Cam. R. 3. 20). _Also in_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); D (Digby 181); Ff (Camb. Univ. Library, Ff. 1. 6); _and in the_ Bannatyne MS. 2. F. goddis an. 3. F. pepill. F. ben. 4. A. folk; F. folke. F. besely; A. bisyly. 5. F. Th. Of the; S. _om._ Of. S. Cithera; F. Sythera. S. sothly; F. oonly. 6. A. Tr. alle; F. al. 7. F. sugetes. 8. A. wole; F. wol. 10. F. wymen. A. han I-sowe. 11. F. Suche. 12. A. doon; F. do. 13. F. oure. 14. F. pitouse; effecte. 15. A. And passyng_e_ alle londes on this yle. 17. A. seyn; F. seye. 18. A. dissimulen; F. dyssimule. 19. A. Tr. S. Th. in; F. on. F. her.

20. A. herte. 20-22. F. her. 23. A. And with so pitous. S. Tr. pitouse a. 24. A. trewely; F. truly. 25. F. hert. A. han swich. 26. A. seyn; F. sey. F. her. 27. F. her. Tr. list. F. schew. 28. F. anoone. F. _om._ mot; S. Tr. most; Th. must (_but read_ mot); cf. l. 35. 29. A. seyn; F. sey. F. yowe; Th. you. 31. F. While. F. lyfe. A. lasten; F. last. 33. F. Th. thing as; A.S. _om._ as. 34. F. youre. F. self; S. seluen. Th. lyste; F. lyst; A. lykith. 35. A. moot myn herte; F. myn hert mote. A. breste; F. brest. 36. F. herd. Th. knowe a mannes; F. know a manys. A. herte; F. hert. 37. F. outwarde. 38. S. word; F. worde. F. non astert. 39. _So_ S. Tr.; A. sholde any wight by reson; F. Th. by reson semed euery wight to queme. 40. F. seyde; Th. sayd. F. hert; Th. herte. 41. F. _om._ of. 42. F. arte. F. be; Th. by. 43. F. processe. A. Tr. S. wom_m_en meeued of; F. moveth oft woman. 44. S. that; _rest om._ 46. F. her. 47. F. hert set. 48. F. blesful. A.S. they; F. ye. 49. F. And thus; A.S. Tr. _om._ And.

50. A.S. pot; Th. pan; F. penne. 52. A. he keepith; F. kepeth he. S. not; A. nat; F. no more. 53. A. fynden; F. fynde. F. tovne. 55. A. On to; F. Vnto. 56. A. hard; F. herde. A.S. leue; F. beleue. 59. Th. traytour; F. traytoure. 60. A. faste him speedith; F. fast spedeth him. 61. Th. herte; F. hert. 62. A.S. Tr. ne; F. _om._ 64. F. faire avaunte. 65. F. silfe. 66. S. A. Tr. Now; F. _om._ S. A. him; F. Th. himselfe. A.S. a; F. _om._ 67. A.S. a (2); F. _om._ 68. F. tel; hir; hathe. 69. F. worshippe. 70. A. greet; F. grete. S. a sclander; T. Th. disclaunder. 71. F. hir; reprefe. 72. A. Tr. it; _rest om._ F. wroght. 73. F. myschefe. 74. F. spake; thoght. 75. F. be; Th. by. F. oght. 76. S. a thank; Tr. hye thank; F. thank. 77. D. Th. A. nede; F. rede. 78. Th. through; F. thorgh.

81. A. that; _rest om._ F. tel. 82. Th. through; F. thorgh. 83. A.S. Tr. Th. al; F. _om._ F. dovne. 84. F. fynaly. 85. A. Tr. Betrayen; B. S. T. Betray; F. Betraied. 86. F. is yt that; S. A. Tr. _om._ yt. 87. A. Ageynes; F. Ayens. F. falsely. 88. F. crafte suche. 89. F. wytte; A. Tr. wil. A. Tr. ay reedy is; S. redy ay is; F. is euer redy. A. tapplie; Th. taply; F. to aplye. 90. A. hy; S. Tr. hie; F. _om._ 93. T. A. Tr. as; F. _om._ F. ben. 94. B. A. Tr. Th. they; F. _om._ 95. Th. pursewe; F. pursw. 98. A. Smal witen; F. Lytell wote; Tr. Litel knowe. 99. F. wrechch; Th. wretche. 101. F. inconstant; feythe. 105. F. cometh. 106. F. fast (_read_ faste). F. ride (_read_ ryd). 107. F. While. Th. behynd; F. behinde. F. bake. 109. A. snak; F. snake; Th. smacke. 110. F. thes; pake. 111. Th. mote; F. mot.

114. F. selfe hyr. 115. F. hir reprefe; vileyny. 116. F. tong. 118. F. folke. 120. F. eke. 124. F. wer. A. D. Th. had; F. hath. 126. F. shapith. 129. F. han leyser; D. T. Th. leisur haue; A. Tr. leiser han. 130. F. purpose. 131. Th. madnesse. 132. F. homelynesse. 133. F. wy_m_men. 134. F. sclaunder women. 135. F. Too. 139. A. Al moot he flee. 140. Th. tonge; F. tong. 141. F. foule. A. vice; Th. vyce; F. thing. 143. A. Tr. Th. S. man; F. men.

147. Th. ben; Tr. been; F. beth. A. at (_for_ in). A. Th. assay; F. asay. 148. F. hyt. F. o; Th. one. 149. F. varriable. 150. S. and (_for_ or). S. proud; F. proude. 152. F. vnthrift; Th. vntrust. 154. F. swich; D. Th. suche. 155. D. god the hie. 156. A. all_e_; F. al. A. whether; F. wheither. A. was (_for_ were). 160. F. al. 161. F. _om. 2nd_ that. 163. Tr. goode; F. good. 164. F. caas. 165. Th. good is; F. is good. 166. F. al. 167. Th. owne falsenesse; F. oone falsnesse. 169. F. oght. 171. F. wheither. 172. F. badde. 173. F. witte. 175. F. hir.

176. F. tre gode frute. 177. F. swiche; A. swich. 178. F. Take. 179. F. Merour; Th. myrrour. 180. F. Honure; honured. 181. A. nat hir. 183. F. seyde; Th. sayd. 184. F. foule. 185. F. chirlyssh; Th. churlysshe. 187. F. wymen; Th. women. 188. D. B. T. A. Tr. for to despyse; F. to displesen. 189. F. wol. 191. F. made. 192. A. they lakken; Th. they dispyse; F. dispisen they. Th. women and her; F. wo_m_mans; A. wo_m_menes. 193. F. grete reprefe. 194. F. yiven; D. yeve; Th. yeue. 195. F. ben. 198. Th. D. especial; F. special. 203. F. theys; noon. 205. F. grete reprefe. 206. F. grete. 207. F. case.

208. F. custome. 209. F. women. D. B. A. Th. _om. 1st_ or. 210. F. Seye; Th. Say. 211. F. boke. 212. F. women. 213. F. louen; S. D. Tr. Th. loue. 215. A. They (_glossed_ s. libri). F. perylle; Th. p_er_el. F. cast. 216. F. B. wrappes (!) 217. D. S. Th. women. F. B. myshappes (!) 218. S. Th. is; F. _om._ A. that; _rest om._ 222. A.S. T. nat; D. Th. not; F. noon. F. while. 223. F. tyranie. 224. F. wy_m_men. 225. D. Th. many; F. mony. F. wer. 226. Th. Tyed; A. Tyd. 228. F. werray; S. veray; D. verry; Th. very. 229. F. selfe; D. silf. 230. F. folke. 232. F. mawgre; Th. maugre. 233. F. _om._ the. 234. F. sodenly; Th. sodainly. 236. F. ben; Th. be. F. ellecciou_n_. 237. F. tovne; A. town.

239. Th. her; F. hir. Th. herte; F. hert. F. brenyngly. 241. F. hertys set. 242. F. Ioy. 243. F. ben. 244. Th. sharpe; F. sharp. 248. F. women. 249. S. Wote; A. Wat; F. Th. What (!). F. grete; Th. great. 252. F. aght; Th. aught. 253. Th. it; F. ys (!) F. mervaylle; Th. meruayle. 254. F. women knywen; entent. 255. F. sotyly. 256. F. falshode; Th. falsheed. F. hert ment; Th. herte mente. 257. F. this clerkys. F. hent; Th. hente. 261. F. wroghten; Th. wrought. F. wysse; Th. wyse. 262. S. fillok_es_ (_for_ filthes). F. weren; Th. were. 263. F. wisse; Th. wyse. 263, 264. F. clerkis. 264. A. Th. To; F. D. The (!). 266. F. worshippe; Th. worshyp. 268. F. women. F. good. 269. F. dreden; Th. dredde.

270. F. Women. 271. F. hert. 273. A. swich oon for to. 274. F. eke this women. 276. F. ben. 280. F. ben; hertys; craue (!). 281. F. I (!); _for_ To. Th. Moone. 282. F. lewde. 286. F. longe processe. F. slye; Th. slygh. 287. F. damesele; Th. damosel. 288. F. wytte. 289. F. peyn; Th. payne. T. Th. schulde; F. holde (!). 291. F. assaylle; Th. assayle. 292. F. bataylle; Th. batayle. 293. F. whiche. 294. F. hert; Th. herte. 295. F. yt moot folowen; A. moot it folwen. 296. F. grete. 297. F. dysceve. 298. F. constance; ben. 299. F. clerkys. 301. F. pite.

302. F. frendely; Th. frendly. 303. F. flee (!); golde. 304. F. quyt; hir. 305. F. gate; wolde. 306. F. bolde. 307. F. hir. 308. F. kept; grete. 310. F. wrechch; Th. wretche; A. man. 314. F. That (_for_ Than). F. hert; Th. herte. 315. F. mischefe; hir. 316. Th. natures (_for_ Martres). 318. F. oothe in no; A. ooth noon ne; S. T. Th. othe ne. 320. A. Th. herte; F. hert. A. In herte of man conceites trewe arn dede. 324. A. wommannes; Th. D. womans; F. a womans. Th. wicked crabbydnesse. 326. F. the; harme. 327. F. No fors; A. Yee strab (_or_ scrab). Th. Beth ware women of her fykelnesse. F. take; S. and take. 329. F. smert; Th. smerte. 331. F. sle. 332. F. folke.

335. F. Empoysone folkys; set. 337. F. perfyte. 338. D. B. Th. A. entalented; F. entenlented. 339. F. Be; Th. Al; _rest_ To. F. sytt. 340. F. women. 342. A. softe; F. Th. soft. 343. F. outwarde. 344. A. Wommannes; F. Th. Womans. 346. F. Pitouse devoute ful. 348. F. _om._ and. 350. F. hir. 351. F. oure; Th. our. A. firste; F. Th. first. 353. F. Ioy; Th. ioye. 356. A. nat; F. ne. 357. F. nade; Th. ne had; A. nad. F. she ne wolde. 358. F. The enviouse; Tr. Thenvyous. F. suellyng. F. fend. 359. Th. herte; F. D. hert. 359. F. Sent; hir. 361. F. deceyve; Th. disceyue. 363. F. woman. 364. F. Gode wote; hir.

365. F. good; Tr. goode. F. woman. 369. F. er; A. Th. or. 370. F. hir. 373. F. cast. 374. F. wronge. 375. F. harme. A. of th_a_t gilt. 376. F. fende; mawgre. 377. F. hir. 378. F. oonly. F. breeke; D. Th. brake. 379. F. that; Th. this. F. ben. 381. A. D. mowe; T. mow; Th. may; F. now. 385. A. Th. holde; F. hold. 386. F. Th. where; B. whan. 388. F. swiche. 391. A. F. feende; Tr. worme. 392. F. dide; Th. dyd. 394. F. feende. 395. F. sleythes; Th. sleyghtes; A. sleightes.

397. F. trespase; Th. trespace. F. the hevenes; A. Tr. S. Th. _om._ the. 398. F. tooke. 401. F. suche. 403. F. Yf (_for_ Of). F. lyfe. 405. F. woyde; Th. voyde. 406. F. hir. 408. F. leene; Th. leane; S. low; A. weyke. 410. Th. dewe. F. moot. 411. A. we witen; _rest_ I sey. F. verraly. 412. F. men (_for_ man). 413. F. mercye; hir girdille. 414. F. mercye. 415. F. farewel; Ioy. 417. F. mercye. 418. F. honureth; Th. honoureth. 419. A. Tr. alle; F. al. 423. F. martirdome. Th. Thou louer trewe. thou mayden mansuete. 425. F. feendis. 427. _From_ A; F. B. _omit_ (!).

430. A. nat; Tr. not; _rest_ neuer. 431. F. _om._ I. 433. F. hert; hir. 434. F. of my; Th. _om._ my. 435-448. _Precedes_ 421-434 _in_ Th. 435. F. where. 436. F. werkis; lyfe. 438. F. wommen (_read_ womman, _as in_ l. 442). F. stryfe. 439. F. ententyfe. 441. _So_ Th.; F. B. forsoken hym. 442. F. forsooke. 443. F. left oonly. 444. Tr. holy wryt thus; F. thus holy wryt. 445. F. Lok. 446. _So_ A.; F. B. I may wel preve herby. 447, 448. F. constance, variance. 450. F. trew; Th. trewe. 451. A. is nat told for; F. tolde I nat for; Th. tel I for no. 453. F. oonly loo. 455. F. honure; Th. honour. Th. auaunce. 458. A.S. she; _rest_ he.

459, 460. A.S. She; _rest_ He. S. hir; F. hi (!); _rest_ his. 461. F. wertu. 462. F. Gret; honor. 464. F. oure; echon. 465. F. oure. 466. F. D. _om._ false. F. reble; Th. rebel. 469. A. ynne; F. in. F. more neuer; A. _om._ more. 471. S. Tr. that; _rest om._ 472. F. the ayer; A. their; Tr. theyre. F. moneth. 473. F. oure; where; milion. 474. F. louers trwe. 475. F. Iocunde.

COLOPHON. D. T. amatoribus; F. _om._ B. _has_--The lettre of Cupide, god of love, directed to his suggestys louers.

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VI. TO THE KINGES MOST NOBLE GRACE; AND TO THE LORDES AND KNIGHTES OF THE GARTER.

CESTES BALADES ENSUYANTES FEURENT FAITES AU TRES NOBLE ROY HENRY LE QUINT (QUE DIEU PARDOINT!) ET AU TRES HONOURABLE CONPAIGNIE DU JARTER.

I.

To you, welle of honour and worthinesse, Our Cristen king, the heir and successour Un-to Justinians devout tendrenesse In the feith of Jesu, our redemptour; And to you, lordes of the Garter, 'flour 5 Of chevalrye,' as men you clepe and calle; The lord of vertu and of grace auctour Graunte the fruit of your loos never appalle!

O lige lord, that han eek the lyknesse Of Constantyn, th'ensaumple and the mirour 10 To princes alle, in love and buxumnesse To holy chirche, O verray sustenour And piler of our feith, and werreyour Ageyn the heresyës bitter galle, Do forth, do forth, continue your socour! 15 Hold up Cristes baner; lat it nat falle!

This yle, or this, had been but hethenesse, Nad been of your feith the force and vigour! And yit, this day, the feendes fikilnesse Weneth fully to cacche a tyme and hour 20 To have on us, your liges, a sharp shour, And to his servitude us knitte and thralle. But ay we truste in you, our prótectour; On your constaunce we awayten alle.

Commandeth that no wight have hardinesse, 25 O worthy king, our Cristen emperour, Of the feith to despute more or lesse Openly among people, wher errour Springeth al day and engendreth rumour. Maketh swich lawe, and for aught may befalle, 30 Observe it wel; ther-to be ye dettour. Doth so, and god in glorie shal you stalle.

II.

Ye lordes eek, shyninge in noble fame, To whiche appropred is the maintenaunce Of Cristes cause; in honour of his name 35 Shove on, and putte his foos to the outrance! God wolde so; so wolde eek your ligeaunce; To tho two prikketh you your duëtee. Who-so nat kepeth this double observaunce Of merit and honour naked is he! 40

Your style seith that ye ben foos to shame; Now kythe of your feith the perséveraunce, In which an heep of us arn halte and lame. Our Cristen king of England and of Fraunce, And ye, my lordes, with your alliaunce, 45 And other feithful people that ther be (Truste I to god) shul quenche al this nuisaunce And this land sette in hy prosperitee.

Conquest of hy prowesse is for to tame The wilde woodnesse of this mescreaunce; 50 Right to the rote repe ye that same! Slepe nat this, but, for goddes plesaunce And his modres, and in signifiaunce That ye ben of seint Georges liveree, Doth him servyce and knightly obeisaunce; 55 For Cristes cause is his, wel knowen ye!

Stif stande in that, and ye shul greve and grame The fo to pees, the norice of distaunce; That now is ernest, torne it into game; Dampnáble fro feith werë variaunce! 60 Lord lige, and lordes, have in rémembraunce, Lord of al is the blessed Trinitee, Of whos vertu the mighty habundaunce You herte and strengthe in feithful unitee! Amen.

_Cest tout._

_From_ P. (Phillipps 8151); _also in_ Ed. (ed. 1542). 1. Ed. honour; P. honur. 2. P. Our right cristen; Ed. _om._ right. Ed. the heire; P. _om._ the. 6. P. ch_iua_lrie; Ed. cheualry. 8. P. nat; Ed. neuer. 10. Ed. _om._ the. 11. P. loue and; Ed. humble. 14. P. bittir; Ed. bytter. 15. P. foorth; Ed. forthe (_twice_). 16. P. Ed. Holde.

19. P. fikilnesse; Ed. crabbydnesse. 20. P. Weeneth; Ed. Weneth. 22. P. seruiture; Ed. seruytude. 25. P. Commandith; Ed. Co_m_maundeth. 26. Ed. O; P. Our. Ed. our; P. and. 27. Ed. dispute. 28. P. where; Ed. Her. 29. P. Spryngith; engendrith. 30. P. Makith. P. aght; Ed. ought. 31. P. been; Ed. be. 32. P. Dooth. 33. P. Yee. 34. P. approped (!). 38. Ed. duite. 39. P. keepith; Ed. kepeth. 40. P. nakid; Ed. naked. 41. Ed. _om._ that. P. yee been. 43. P. arn; Ed. be. 44. P. Engeland and; Ed. England and of. 45. P. yee. 46. P. othir. 47. P. qwenche. P. nusance; Ed. noysaunce (_read_ nuisance).

49. P. Conqueste; Ed. Conquest. 50. Ed. myscreaunce. 51. P. roote rype; Ed. rote repe. P. yee. 52. P. Sleepe; Ed. Slepe. 54. P. yee been. 55. P. Dooth. 56, 57. P. yee. 57. P. shuln; Ed. shal. P. greeue. 58. Ed. the; P. and. 59. Ed. tourne. 60. Ed. Nowe kythe of your beleue the constaunce. 62. P. blissid; Ed. blysfull.

* * * * *

VII. A MORAL BALADE.

BY HENRY SCOGAN, SQUYER.

HERE FOLOWETH NEXT A MORAL BALADE, TO MY LORD THE PRINCE, TO MY LORD OF CLARENCE, TO MY LORD OF BEDFORD, AND TO MY LORD OF GLOUCESTRE, BY HENRY SCOGAN; AT A SOUPER OF FEORTHE MERCHANDE IN THE VYNTRE IN LONDON, AT THE HOUS OF LOWYS JOHAN.

My noble sones, and eek my lordes dere, I, your fader called, unworthily, Sende un-to you this litel tretys here Writen with myn owne hand full rudëly; Although it be that I not reverently 5 Have writen to your estats, yet I you praye, Myn unconning taketh benignëly For goddes sake, and herken what I seye.

I complayn sore, whan I remembre me The sodeyn age that is upon me falle; 10 More I complayn my mispent juventè The whiche is impossible ayein to calle. But certainly, the most complaynte of alle Is for to thinke, that I have been so nyce That I ne wolde no virtue to me calle 15 In al my youthe, but vyces ay cheryce.

Of whiche I aske mercy of thee, lord, That art almighty god in majestè, Beseking thee, to make so even accord Betwix thee and my soule, that vanitè 20 Of worldly lust, ne blynd prosperitè Have no lordship over my flesshe so frele. Thou lord of reste and parfit unitè, Put fro me vyce, and keep my soules hele.

And yeve me might, whyl I have lyf and space, 25 Me to conforme fully to thy plesaunce; Shewe upon me th'abundaunce of thy grace, In gode werkes graunt me perséveraunce. Of al my youthe forget the ignoraunce; Yeve me good wil, to serve thee ay to queme; 30 Set al my lyf after thyn ordinaunce, And able me to mercy, or thou deme!

My lordes dere, why I this complaint wryte To you, alle whom I love entierly, Is for to warne you, as I can endyte, 35 That tyme y-lost in youthe folily Greveth a wight goostly and bodily, I mene hem that to lust and vyce entende. Wherfore, I pray you, lordes, specially, Your youthe in vertue shapeth to dispende. 40

Planteth the rote of youthe in suche a wyse That in vertue your growing be alway; Loke ay, goodnesse be in your exercyse, That shal you mighty make, at eche assay, The feend for to withstonde at eche affray. 45 Passeth wysly this perilous pilgrimage, Thinke on this word, and werke it every day; That shal you yeve a parfit floured age.

Taketh also hede, how that these noble clerkes Write in hir bokes of gret sapience, 50 Saying, that fayth is deed withouten werkes; So is estat withoute intelligence Of vertue; and therfore, with diligence, Shapeth of vertue so to plante the rote, That ye therof have ful experience, 55 To worship of your lyfe and soules bote.

Taketh also hede, that lordship ne estat, Withoute vertue, may not longe endure; Thinketh eek how vyce and vertue at debat Have been, and shal, whyles the world may dure; 60 And ay the vicious, by aventure, Is overthrowe; and thinketh evermore That god is lord of vertue and figure Of al goodnesse; and therfore folowe his lore.

My mayster Chaucer, god his soulë have! 65 That in his langage was so curious, He sayde, the fader whiche is deed and grave, Biquath nothing his vertue with his hous Unto his sone; therfore laborious Ought ye to be, beseching god, of grace, 70 To yeve you might for to be vertuous, Through which ye might have part of his fayr place.

Here may ye see that vertuous noblesse Cometh not to you by way of auncestrye, But it cometh thorugh leefful besinesse 75 Of honest lyfe, and not by slogardrye. Wherfore in youthe I rede you edefye The hous of vertue in so wys manere That in your age it may you kepe and gye Fro the tempest of worldly wawes here. 80

Thinketh how, betwixë vertue and estat There is a parfit blessed mariage; Vertue is cause of pees, vyce of debat In mannes soule; for which, with ful corage, Cherissheth vertue, vyces to outrage: 85 Dryveth hem away; let hem have no wonning In your soules; leseth not the heritage Which god hath yeve to vertuous living.

Taketh hede also, how men of povre degree Through vertue have be set in greet honour, 90 And ever have lived in greet prosperitee Through cherisshing of vertuous labour. Thinketh also, how many a governour Called to estat, hath oft be set ful lowe Through misusing of right, and for errour, 95 Therfore I counsaile you, vertue to knowe.

Thus 'by your eldres may ye nothing clayme,' As that my mayster Chaucer sayth expresse, 'But temporel thing, that man may hurte and mayme'; Than is god stocke of vertuous noblesse; 100 And sith that he is lord of blessednesse, And made us alle, and for us alle deyde, Folowe his vertue with ful besinesse, And of this thing herke how my mayster seyde:--

_The firste stok, fader of gentilesse,_ 105 _What man that claymeth gentil for to be_ _Must folowe his trace, and alle his wittes dresse_ _Vertu to sewe, and vyces for to flee._ _For unto vertu longeth dignitee,_ _And noght the revers, saufly dar I deme,_ 110 _Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe._

_This firste stok was ful of rightwisnesse,_ _Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and free,_ _Clene of his goste, and loved besinesse_ _Ageinst the vyce of slouthe, in honestee;_ 115 _And, but his heir love vertu, as dide he,_ _He is noght gentil, though he riche seme,_ _Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe._

_Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse;_ _But ther may no man, as men may wel see,_ 120 _Bequethe his heir his vertuous noblesse;_ _That is appropred unto no degree,_ _But to the firste fader in magestee_ _That maketh him his heir, that can him queme,_ _Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe._ 125

Lo here, this noble poete of Bretayne How hyely he, in vertuous sentence, The losse in youthe of vertue can complayne; Wherfore I pray you, dooth your diligence, For your estats and goddes reverence, 130 T'enprintë vertue fully in your mynde, That, whan ye come in your juges presence, Ye be not set as vertules behynde.

Ye lordes have a maner now-a-dayes, Though oon shewe you a vertuous matere, 135 Your fervent youthe is of so false alayes That of that art ye have no joy to here. But, as a ship that is withouten stere Dryveth up and doun, withouten governaunce, Wening that calm wol lastë, yeer by yere, 140 Right so fare ye, for very ignoraunce.

For very shamë, knowe ye nat, by réson That, after an ebbe, ther cometh a flood ful rage? In the same wyse, whan youth passeth his séson, Cometh croked and unweldy palled age; 145 Sone after comen kalends of dotage; And if your youth no vertue have provyded, Al men wol saye, fy on your vassalage! Thus hath your slouth fro worship you devyded.

Boëce the clerk, as men may rede and see, 150 Saith, in his Boke of Consolacioun, What man desyreth +have of vyne or tree Plentee of fruit, in the ryping sesoun, Must ay eschewe to doon oppressioun Unto the rote, whyle it is yong and grene; 155 Ye may wel see, by this conclusioun, That youthë vertulees doth mochel tene.

Seeth, there-ayenst, how vertuous noblesse Roted in youthe, with good perséveraunce, Dryveth away al vyce and wrecchednesse, 160 As slogardrye, ryote and distaunce! Seeth eek how vertue causeth suffisaunce, And suffisaunce exyleth coveityse! And who hath vertue hath al abundaunce Of wele, as fer as reson can devyse. 165

Taketh hede of Tullius Hostilius, That cam fro povertee to hy degree; Through vertue redeth eek of Julius The conquerour, how povre a man was he; Yet, through his vertue and humanitee, 170 Of many a countree had he governaunce. Thus vertue bringeth unto greet degree Eche wight that list to do him entendaunce.

Rede, here-ayenst, of Nero vertulees; Taketh hede also of proude Balthasar; 175 They hated vertue, equitee, and pees. Loke how Antiochus fil fro his char, That he his skin and bones al to-tar! Loke what meschauncë they had for hir vyces! Who-so that wol not by these signes be war, 180 I dar wel say, infortunat or nyce is.

I can no more; but here-by may ye see How vertue causeth parfit sikernesse, And vyces doon exyle prosperitee; The best is, ech to chesen, as I gesse. 185 Doth as you list, I me excuse expresse; I wolde be sory, if that ye mischese. God you conferme in vertuous noblesse, So that through negligence ye nothing lese!

_Explicit_.

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1542); _collated with_ A. (Ashmole 59), _and_ Cx. (Caxton); _readings also given from_ H. (Harl. 2251).

TITLE; _from_ A. (_which has_ folowethe nexst); Cx. _has_ Here next foloweth a tretyse, whiche John Skogan sente vnto the lordes and gentilmen of the kynges hows, exortyng them to lose no tyme in theyr yougthe, but to vse vertues; Th. _has_ Scogan vnto the lordes and gentylmen of the kynges house.

1. Th. A. sonnes. 2. Th. A. vnworthely. 3. Th. lytel treatyse; A. balade folowing. 4. Th. with; A. H. of. 5. Th. H. Although; Cx. And though; A. Yitte howe. 6. Th. A. estates. A. yet; H. Th. Cx. _om._ 8. Cx. herkne (_better_). 9. Th. me sore; A. H. _om._ me. 10. A. H. falle; Th. fal. 11. Th. But more; A. H. Cx. _om._ But. Th. iuuentute. 12. Th. ayen for; A. ageine. A. H. calle; Th. cal.

13. Th. H. certainly; A. comvnely. Th. A. moste. A. H. alle; Th. al. 14. A. H. for; Th. _om._ A. beon; Th. be. 15. A. H. no; Th. _om._ A. vertue; Th. vertues. A. calle; Th. cal. 16. A. ay; Th. aye. 17. A. thee; Th. the. Th. lorde. 18. Th. H. god; A. lorde. 20. Th. Betwyxe; A. Bytwene. 21. A. H. Of; Th. Cx. _om._ Th. blynde. 22. A. so freel; Th. H. to frele. 23. Th. lorde; perfyte. 24. A. H. Cx. soules; Th. soule. 25. Th. whyle; lyfe. 26. A. H. confourme; Th. confyrme (!). 27. A. H. vpon; Th. to. 28. Th. And in; A. H. _om._ And. 30. A. thee; Th. the. 31. Th. lyfe. A. H. thy governaunce. 34. A. alle whome; Cx. whom that; Th. whom. Th. moste entyrely; Cx. A. entierly. 36. A. eloste; Th. loste; H. Cx. lost. 37. A. H. goostely and bodely; Th. Cx. bodily and gostly. 38. Th. meane. 39. A. I prey you lordes; Th. lordes I pray you. A. tendrely. 41. Cx. _transposes_ 41-80 _and_ 81-125. A. Plantethe; Th. Cx. Plante.

43. A. ay; Th. alway. 45. Cx. The frende (!) for to withsto_n_de; A. For to withstonde the feonde; Th. The fende to withstande. 46. Th. peryllous; H. perilous. 47. H. Th. Cx. werke; A. vse. 48. Th. parfyte. 50. Th. Writen; A. Wrote. Th. her. Th. great; H. grete; A. noble. 52. _So_ A.; Th. And right so is estate with negligence. 57. A. Then kepe also that. 58. Cx. A. Withoute; Th. Without. 59. Cx. vice; A. H. Th. vices. 60. A. whiles; Th. while. Th. worlde. 61. A. H. ay; Th. Cx. euer. 63. Th. lorde of al; H. A. lord of. 67. Th. sayd that the; A. saide that the; H. Cx. _om._ that. Th. father; A. H. fader. 68. H. A. Beqwath; Th. Byqueth. Th. house. 69. _So_ A. Cx.; Th. children and therefore laborouse. 70. H. Th. Ought; A. Aught; Cx. Owe. Th. _om._ to. Th. besekyng; A. beseching. 72. Th. haue; A. H. gete. Th. p_ar_te. A. feyre; Th. H. _om._

74. A. Comþe. 75. A. thorugh; Cx. thurgh; Th. by. A. leofful; Th. leful; H. leeful. 77. Th. you ye; A. H. _om._ ye. 78. Th. house. A. soo wyse; Th. H. suche a. 79. Th. _om._ it. 80. H. A. worldly; Th. worldes. 81. Th. howe betwyxe; A. howe bytwene. 82. Th. parfyte. 84. H. A. for whiche with full; Th. the whiche be ful of. 85. Th. than vertue; A. _om._ than. 86. A. Cx. _om. 1st_ hem. 87. A. leese; H. lesith. 89. Th. howe. A. poure; Th. poore. 90, 91. Th. great. 92. Th. H. Through; A. By. 94. Th. H. Called; A. Calde. A. offt; H. Th. Cx. _om._ 95. A. for; Th. H. Cx. of. 96. Th. And therfore; _rest om._ And. 97. A. By auncetrye thus; Th. H. Thus by your auncestres; Cx. Thus by your eldres. 99. Th. men (_for_ man). 100. Cx. Than god is. 101. Th. sythe; lorde. Th. blyssednesse; A. blessednesse. 102. A. That (_for_ And). A. H. alle; Th. al (1). Cx. alle; Th. al (2). _For_ us alle A. _has_ mankynde that.

103. _So_ A.; Th. H. Foloweth hym in vertue. 105-125. Chaucer's poem of _Gentilesse_ is here quoted; see vol. i. p. 392. 127. A. Howe hyely he; Th. Howe lightly. 128. A. lesse (!); Th. losse. A. H. in; Th. on. 129. A. Wherfore; Th. And therefore. A. doothe; Th. with (!). 130. A. estates; Th. profyte. 131. A. Tenprynte; Th. Tempereth (!). A. H. vertue fully; Th. fully vertue. 132. Cx. in; A. H. in-to; Th. to. 133. A. H. sette as vertulesse; Th. vertulesse than. 134. H. Cx. Ye; A. For yee; Th. Many. Th. A. nowe. 135. Cx. H. you; Th. hem. A. Thaughe one of you here of a gode matere.

136. Cx. H. Your feruent; Th. Her feruent; A. Your vnsure. 137. Th. arte. Cx. H. ye; Th. they. A. That of suche artes you liste not to. 138. Cx. A. withouten; Th. without a. 139. A. withouten; Th. without. 140. Th. calme. A. wol laste you; Th. wolde last. Th. yere by yere. 141. Cx. A. H. ye; Th. they. 142. Cx. A. H. ye; Th. they. 143. A. Cx. _om._ ful. 144. A. Right euen so whane. 145. A. Comthe. 146. A. Soone; Th. And sone. Th. comen the; Cx. come; A. comthe. 147. Th. if that; Cx. A. H. _om._ that. Cx. A. your; Th. her. A. H. no vertue haue; Cx. no vertue hath; Th. haue no vertue. 148. Th. fye. Cx. A. your; Th. her. 149. A. H. your; Th. her. Cx. H. you; Th. hem. A. _has_ Thus hathe youre youthe and slouthe you al misgyded. 152. Cx. A. H. to haue; Th. _om._ (_read_ haue). 153. A. Plenty of; Cx. Plentyuous; Th. Plentous. Th. fruite. A. H. Cx. the; Th. _om._ A. H. Cx. riping; Th. reapyng. 154. A. H. Cx. ay; Th. euer. A. doon; Th. do. 156. A. H. Cx. Yee may; Th. Thus may ye. A. H. wele see; Cx. see; Th. se wel. A. H. this; Th. that. A. Cx. conclusioun; Th. inclusyon (!). 157. A. youthe; Th. youth. A. Th. vertulesse. Th. moche; Cx. ofte muche; A. ay michil (_read_ mochel). 158. Th. Nowe seeth; A. H. Cx. _om._ Nowe. Th. howe; A. that. 159. A. youthe; Th. youth.

160. A. Cx. vyce; H. vice; Th. vyces. 161. A. Al (_for_ As). A. al ryote; H. Cx. Th. _om._ al. 162. Th. eke howe. 163. _So_ A. Cx.; H. _om._; Th. _has_ Seeth eke howe vertue voydeth al vyce (!). 164. Th. H. Cx. whoso; A. _om._ so. 165. Th. ferre; A. far. Th. reason. 167. A. came frome pouertee; Th. fro pouert came. Th. hygh; A. hye. 168. Th. eke. 169. Th. howe poore. 170. A. H. Cx. humanite; Th. his humylite. 171. Th. _om._ a. 172. A. unto gret; Cx. to hye; Th. a man to great. 173. A. Cx. list; Th. H. lust. Th. entendaunce; _rest_ attendaunce. 174. Th. nowe of; A. H. Cx. _om._ nowe. 177. Th. And loke; _rest om._ And. Th. howe; chare. 178. Th. tare. 179. A. meschaunces. 180. Th. H. Cx. _om._ that. Th. ware. 181. A. Th. infortunate. A. H. Cx. or; Th. and. 182. Th. no more nowe say; Cx. no more say; H. no more; A. more (!). Th. herby; se. 183. A. Th. Howe. A. Th. perfyte. 184. A. done exyle; Th. H. exylen al; Cx. exyles al. 185. Th. eche man to; Cx. man to; A. dethe to (dethe _is put for_ eche). A. cheesen; Th. chose.

186. Th. A. Dothe. 187. A. Cx. wil (_for_ wolde). Th. right sorie; A. H. Cx. _om._ right. 188. A. you conferme; Th. confyrme you. 189. A. no thing; Cx. H. nothing; Th. not it. COLOPHON. Cx. Thus endeth the traytye wiche John Skogan sent to the lordes and estates of the kynges hous.

* * * * *

VIII. JOHN LYDGATE.

THE COMPLAINT OF THE BLACK KNIGHT; OR, THE COMPLAINT OF A LOVERES LYFE.

In May, whan Flora, the fresshe lusty quene, The soile hath clad in grene, rede, and whyte, And Phebus gan to shede his stremes shene Amid the Bole, with al the bemes brighte, And Lucifer, to chace awey the night, 5 Ayen the morowe our orizont hath take To bidde lovers out of hir sleepe awake,

And hertes hevy for to recomforte From dreriheed of hevy nightes sorowe, Nature bad hem ryse, and hem disporte, 10 Ayen the goodly, gladde, greye morowe; And Hope also, with seint Johan to borowe, Bad, in dispyt of daunger and dispeyre, For to take the hoolsom lusty eyre:

And with a sigh I gan for to abreyde 15 Out of my slombre, and sodainly up sterte As he, alas! that nigh for sorowe deyde, My sekenes sat ay so nigh my herte. But, for to finde socour of my smerte, Or at the leste som réles of my peyne, 20 That me so sore halt in every veyne,

I roos anon, and thoghte I wolde goon Into the wode, to here the briddes singe, Whan that the misty vapour was agoon And clere and faire was the morowning; 25 The dewe also, lyk silver in shyning Upon the leves, as any baume swete, Til fyry Tytan, with his persaunt hete,

Had dryed up the lusty licour newe Upon the herbes in the grene mede, 30 And that the floures, of many dyvers hewe, Upon hir stalkes gonne for to sprede And for to splaye[n] out hir leves on-brede Agayn the sonne, gold-burned in his spere, That doun to hem caste his bemes clere. 35

And by a river forth I gan costey Of water clere as berel or cristal Til at the laste I found a litel wey Toward a park, enclosed with a wal In compas rounde, and by a gate smal 40 Who-so that wolde frely mighte goon Into this park, walled with grene stoon.

And in I wente, to here the briddes song, Whiche on the braunches, bothe in playn and vale, So loude songe, that al the wode rong 45 Lyke as it shulde shiver in peces smale; And, as me thoughte, that the nightingale With so gret mighte her voys gan out-wreste Right as her herte for love wolde breste.

The soil was playn, smothe, and wonder softe 50 Al oversprad with tapites that Nature Had mad her-selve, celured eek alofte With bowes grene, the floures for to cure, That in hir beautè they may longe endure From al assaut of Phebus fervent fere, 55 Whiche in his spere so hote shoon and clere.

The eyre attempre, and the smothe wind Of Zepherus, among the blossomes whyte, So hoolsom was and norisshing by kind, That smale buddes, and rounde blomes lyte 60 In maner gonnen of her brethe delyte To yeve us hope that hir fruit shal take, Ayens autumpne, redy for to shake.

I saw ther Daphne, closed under rinde, Grene laurer, and the hoolsom pyne; 65 The myrre also, that wepeth ever of kinde; The cedres hye, upright as a lyne; The philbert eek, that lowe doth enclyne Her bowes grene to the erthe adoun Unto her knight, y-called Demophoun. 70

Ther saw I eek the fresshe hawëthorn In whyte motlè, that so swote doth smelle, Ash, firre, and ook, with many a yong acorn, And many a tree--mo than I can telle; And, me beforn, I saw a litel welle, 75 That had his cours, as I gan beholde, Under an hille, with quikke stremes colde.

The gravel gold, the water pure as glas, The bankes rounde, the welle envyroning; And softe as veluët the yonge gras 80 That therupon lustily cam springing; The sute of trees aboute compassing Hir shadowe caste, closing the welle rounde, And al the herbes growing on the grounde.

The water was so hoolsom and vertuous 85 Through might of herbes growing there besyde, Not lyk the welle, wher-as Narcisus Y-slayn was, through vengeaunce of Cupyde, Where so covertly he didë hyde The grayn of cruel dethe upon ech brinke, 90 That deeth mot folowe, who that ever drinke;

Ne lyk the pittë of the Pegacè Under Pernaso, where poetës slepte; Nor lyk the welle of pure chastitè Which that Dyane with her nymphes kepte, 95 Whan she naked into the water lepte, That slow Acteon with his houndes felle Only for he cam so nigh the welle!

Bút this welle, that I here reherce, So hoolsom was, that it wolde aswage 100 Bollen hertes, and the venim perce Of pensifheed, with al the cruel rage, And evermore refresshe the visage Of hem that were in any werinesse Of greet labour, or fallen in distresse. 105

And I, that had, through daunger and disdayne, So drye a thrust, thoughte I wolde assaye To taste a draughte of this welle, or twayne, My bitter langour if it mighte alaye; And on the banke anon adoun I lay, 110 And with myn heed unto the welle I raughte, And of the water drank I a good draughte;

Wherof, me thought, I was refresshed wele Of the brenning that sat so nigh my herte, That verily anon I gan to fele 115 An huge part relesed of my smerte; And therwithallë anon up I sterte, And thoughte I wolde walke, and see more Forth in the parke, and in the holtes hore.

And through a laundë as I yede a-pace 120 And gan aboute faste to beholde, I found anon a délitable place That was beset with treës yonge and olde, Whose names here for me shal not be tolde; Amidde of whiche stood an herber grene, 125 That benched was, with colours newe and clene.

Thís herber was ful of floures inde, In-to the whiche as I beholde gan, Betwix an hulfere and a wodëbinde, As I was war, I saw wher lay a man 130 In blakke and whyte colour, pale and wan, And wonder deedly also of his hewe, Of hurtes grene and fresshe woundes newe.

And overmore distrayned with sekenesse, Besyde al this, he was, ful grevously; 135 For upon him he had an hoot accesse, That day by day him shook ful pitously; So that, for constreynt of his malady And hertly wo, thus lying al alone, It was a deeth for to here him grone. 140

Wherof astonied, my foot I gan withdrawe, Greetly wondring what it mighte be That he so lay, and hadde no felawe, Ne that I coude no wight with him see; Wherof I hadde routhe, and eek pitè, 145 And gan anon, so softely as I coude, Among the busshes me prively to shroude;

If that I mighte in any wyse espye What was the cause of his deedly wo, Or why that he so pitously gan crye 150 On his fortune, and on his ure also; With al my might I layde an ere to, Every word to marke, what he seyde, Out of his swough among as he abrayde.

But first, if I shulde make mencioun 155 Of his persone, and plainly him discryve, He was in sothe, without excepcioun, To speke of manhode, oon the best on-lyve; Ther may no man ayen the trouthe stryve. For of his tyme, and of his age also 160 He proved was, ther men shulde have ado,

For oon the beste there, of brede and lengthe So wel y-mad by good proporcioun, If he had be in his deliver strengthe; But thought and seknesse were occasioun 165 That he thus lay, in lamentacioun, Gruffe on the grounde, in place desolat, Sole by him-self, awhaped and amat.

And, for me semeth that it is sitting His wordes al to putte in remembraunce, 170 To me, that herdë al his complayning And al the groundë of his woful chaunce, If ther-withal I may you do plesaunce, I wol to you, so as I can, anon, Lyk as he sayde, reherce hem everichon. 175

But who shal helpe me now to complayne? Or who shal now my style gye or lede? O Niobè, let now thy teres rayne In-to my penne; and helpe eek in this nede, Thou woful Mirre, that felest my herte blede 180 Of pitous wo, and myn hand eek quake Whan that I wryte, for this mannes sake!

For unto wo accordeth complayning And doleful cherë unto hevinesse; To sorowe also, syghing and weping, 185 And pitous mourning, unto drerinesse; And whoso that shal wryten of distresse In party nedeth to knowe felingly Cause and rote of al such malady.

But I, alas! that am of witte but dulle, 190 And have no knowing of such matere, For to discryve and wryten at the fulle The woful complaynt, which that ye shal here, But even-lyk as doth a skrivenere That can no more what that he shal wryte, 195 But as his maister besyde doth endyte;

Right so fare I, that of no sentement Saye right naught, as in conclusioun, But as I herde, whan I was present, This man complayne with a pitous soun; 200 For even-lyk, without addicioun Or disencrees, either more or lesse, For to reherce anon I wol me dresse.

And if that any now be in this place That fele in love brenning or fervence, 205 Or hindred werë to his lady grace With false tonges, that with pestilence Slee trewe men that never did offence In word nor dede, ne in hir entent-- If any suche be here now present, 210

Let him of routhe lay to audience, With doleful chere and sobre countenaunce, To here this man, by ful high sentence, His mortal wo and his gret perturbaunce Cómplayning, now lying in a traunce, 215 With lokes upcaste, and with ruful chere, Th' effect of whiche was as ye shal here.--

COMPLEYNT.

The thought oppressed with inward sighes sore, The painful lyf, the body languisshing, The woful gost, the herte rent and tore, 220 The pitous chere, pale in compleyning, The deedly face, lyk ashes in shyning, The salte teres that fro myn eyën falle, Parcel declare grounde of my peynes alle:

Whos herte is grounde to blede in hevinesse; 225 The thought, resceyt of wo and of complaynt; The brest is cheste of dole and drerinesse; The body eek so feble and so faynt; With hote and colde myn acces is so meynt, That now I chiver for defaute of hete, 230 And, hoot as gleed, now sodainly I swete.

Now hoot as fyr, now cold as asshes dede, Now hoot fro cold, now cold fro hete agayn; Now cold as ys, now as coles rede For hete I brenne; and thus, betwixe twayne, 235 I possed am, and al forcast in payne; So that my hete plainly, as I fele, Of grevous cold is causë, every-deel.

This is the cold of inward high disdayne, Cold of dispyt, and cold of cruel hate; 240 This is the cold that doth his besy payne Ayeines trouthe to fighte and to debate. This is the cold that wolde the fyr abate Of trewe mening; alas! the harde whyle! This is the cold that wolde me begyle. 245

For ever the better that in trouthe I mente With al my mighte faythfully to serve, With herte and al for to be diligent, The lesse thank, alas! I can deserve! Thus for my trouthe Daunger doth me sterve. 250 For oon that shulde my deeth, of mercy, lette Hath mad despyt newe his swerd to whette

Ayeines me, and his arowes to fyle To take vengeaunce of wilful crueltè; And tonges false, through hir sleightly wyle, 255 Han gonne a werre that wil not stinted be; And fals Envye, Wrathe, and Enmitè, Have conspired, ayeines al right and lawe, Of hir malyce, that Trouthe shal be slawe.

And Male-Bouche gan first the tale telle, 260 To slaundre Trouthe, of indignacioun; And Fals-Report so loude rong the belle, That Misbeleve and Fals-Suspeccioun, Have Trouthe brought to his dampnacioun, So that, alas! wrongfully he dyeth, 265 And Falsnes now his placë occupyeth,

And entred is in-to Trouthes lond, And hath therof the ful possessioun. O rightful god, that first the trouthe fond, How may thou suffre such oppressioun, 270 That Falshood shulde have jurisdiccioun In Trouthes right, to slee him giltëlees? In his fraunchyse he may not live in pees.

Falsly accused, and of his foon forjuged, Without answere, whyl he was absent, 275 He dampned was, and may not ben excused, For Crueltè sat in jugëment Of hastinesse, withoute avysëment, And bad Disdayn do execute anon His jugëment, in presence of his foon. 280

Attourney noon ne may admitted been T'ëxcuse Trouthë, ne a word to speke; To fayth or ooth the juge list not seen, There is no gayn, but he wil be wreke. O lord of trouthe, to thee I calle and clepe; 285 How may thou see, thus in thy presence, Withoute mercy, murdred innocence?

Now god, that art of trouthe soverain And seëst how I lye for trouthe bounde, So sore knit in loves fyry chain 290 Even at the deth, through-girt with many a wounde That lykly are never for to sounde, And for my trouthe am dampned to the deeth, And not abyde, but drawe along the breeth:

Consider and see, in thyn eternal right, 295 How that myn herte professed whylom was For to be trewe with al my fulle might Only to oon, the whiche now, alas! Of voluntè, withoute any trespas, Myn accusours hath taken unto grace, 300 And cherissheth hem, my deth for to purchace.

What meneth this? what is this wonder ure Of purveyauncë, if I shal it calle, Of god of love, that false hem so assure, And trewe, alas! doun of the whele ben falle? 305 And yet in sothe, this is the worst of alle, That Falshed wrongfully of Trouthe hath name, And Trouthe ayenward of Falshed bereth the blame.

This blinde chaunce, this stormy aventure, In lovë hath most his experience; 310 For who that doth with trouthe most his cure Shal for his mede finde most offence, That serveth love with al his diligence; For who can faynë, under lowliheed, Ne fayleth not to finde grace and speed. 315

For I loved oon, ful longë sith agoon, With al my herte, body, and ful might, And, to be deed, my herte can not goon From his hest, but holde that he hath hight; Though I be banisshed out of her sight, 320 And by her mouth dampned that I shal deye, +To my behest yet I wil ever obeye.

For ever, sithë that the world began, Who-so list lokë, and in storie rede, He shal ay finde that the trewe man 325 Was put abakke, wher-as the falshede Y-furthered was; for Love taketh non hede To slee the trewe, and hath of hem no charge, Wher-as the false goth freely at hir large.

I take recorde of Palamides, 330 The trewe man, the noble worthy knight, That ever loved, and of his payn no relees; Notwithstonding his manhood and his might Love unto him did ful greet unright; For ay the bet he did in chevalrye, 335 The more he was hindred by envye.

And ay the bet he did in every place Through his knighthood and his besy payne, The ferther was he from his lady grace, For to her mercy mighte he never attayne; 340 And to his deth he coude it not refrayne For no daungere, but ay obey and serve As he best coude, plainly, til he sterve.

What was the fyne also of Hercules, For al his conquest and his worthinesse, 345 That was of strengthe alone pereles? For, lyk as bokes of him list expresse, He sette pillers, through his hy prowesse, Away at Gades, for to signifye That no man mighte him passe in chevalrye. 350

The whiche pillers ben ferre beyonde Inde Beset of golde, for a remembraunce; And, for al that, was he set behinde With hem that Love liste febly avaunce; For [he] him sette last upon a daunce, 355 Ageynes whom helpe may no stryf; For al his trouthe, yit he loste his lyf.

Phebus also, for al his persaunt light, Whan that he wente here in erthe lowe, Unto the herte with fresh Venus sight 360 Y-wounded was, through Cupydes bowe, And yet his lady liste him not to knowe. Though for her love his herte didë blede, She leet him go, and took of him no hede.

What shal I saye of yonge Piramus? 365 Of trew Tristram, for al his hye renoun? Of Achilles, or of Antonius? Of Arcite eke, or of him Palemoun? What was the endë of hir passioun But, after sorowe, deeth, and than hir grave? 370 Lo, here the guerdon that these lovers have!

But false Jason, with his doublenesse, That was untrewe at Colkos to Medee, And Theseus, rote of unkindënesse, And with these two eek the false Enee; 375 Lo! thus the falsë, ay in oon degrè, Had in love hir lust and al hir wille; And, save falshood, ther was non other skille.

Of Thebes eek the false [knight] Arcyte, And Demophon +also, for [al] his slouthe, 380 They had hir lust and al that might delyte For al hir falshode and hir greet untrouthe. Thus ever Love (alas! and that is routhe!) His false leges forthereth what he may, And sleeth the trewe ungoodly, day by day. 385

For trewe Adon was slayn with the bore Amid the forest, in the grene shade; For Venus love he feltë al the sore. But Vulcanus with her no mercy made; The foule chorl had many nightes glade, 390 Wher Mars, her worthy knight, her trewe man, To finde mercy, comfort noon he can.

Also the yonge fresshe Ipomenes So lusty free [was], as of his corage, That for to serve with al his herte he chees 395 Athalans, so fair of hir visage; But Love, alas! quitte him so his wage With cruel daunger plainly, at the laste, That, with the dethe, guerdonles he paste.

Lo! here the fyne of loveres servyse! 400 Lo! how that Love can his servaunts quyte! Lo! how he can his faythful men despyse, To slee the trewe, and false to respyte! Lo! how he doth the swerd of sorowe byte In hertes, suche as most his lust obeye, 405 To save the false, and do the trewe deye!

For fayth nor ooth, word, ne assuraunce, Trewe mening, awayte, or besinesse, Stille port, ne faythful attendaunce, Manhood, ne might, in armes worthinesse, 410 Pursute of worship, nor no hy prowesse, In straunge lande ryding, ne travayle, Ful lyte or nought in lovë doth avayle.

Peril of dethe, nother in see ne lande, Hunger ne thurst, sorowe ne sekenesse, 415 Ne grete empryses for to take on hande, Sheding of blode, ne manful hardinesse, Ne ofte woundinge at sautes by distresse, Nor +juparting of lyf, nor deeth also-- Al is for nought, Love taketh no hede therto! 420

But lesings, with hir false flaterye, Through hir falshede, and with hir doublenesse, With tales newe and many fayned lye, By fals semblaunt and counterfet humblesse, Under colour depeynt with stedfastnesse, 425 With fraude covered under a pitous face Accepte been now rathest unto grace,

And can hem-selve now best magnifye With fayned port and fals presumpcioun; They haunce hir cause with fals surquedrye 430 Under meninge of double entencioun, To thenken oon in hir opinioun And saye another; to sette hemselve alofte And hinder trouthe, as it is seyn ful ofte.

The whiche thing I bye now al to dere, 435 Thanked be Venus and the god Cupyde! As it is sene by myn oppressed chere, And by his arowes that stiken in my syde, That, sauf the deth, I nothing abyde Fro day to day; alas, the harde whyle! 440 Whan ever his dart that him list to fyle,

My woful herte for to ryve a-two For faute of mercy, and lak of pitè Of her that causeth al my payne and wo And list not ones, of grace, for to see 445 Unto my trouthe through her crueltee; And, most of alle, yit I me complayne, That she hath joy to laughen at my peyne!

And wilfully hath [she] my deeth y-sworn Al giltëlees, and wot no cause why 450 Save for the trouthe that I have had aforn To her alone to serve faithfully! O god of lovë! unto thee I cry, And to thy blinde double deitee Of this gret wrongë I compleyne me, 455

And to thy stormy wilful variaunce Y-meynt with chaunge and greet unstablenesse; Now up, now doun, so renning is thy chaunce, That thee to truste may be no sikernesse. I wyte it nothing but thy doublenesse; 460 And who that is an archer and is +blent Marketh nothing, but sheteth as he +went.

And for that he hath no discrecioun, Withoute avys he let his arowe go; For lakke of sight, and also of resoun, 465 In his shetinge, it happeth ofte so, To hurte his frend rather than his fo; So doth this god, [and] with his sharpe floon The trewe sleeth, and let the false goon.

And of his wounding this is the worst of alle, 470 Whan he hurteth, he doth so cruel wreche And maketh the seke for to crye and calle Unto his fo, for to been his leche; And hard it is, for a man to seche, Upon the point of dethe in jupardye, 475 Unto his fo, to finde remedye!

Thus fareth it now even by me, That to my fo, that yaf myn herte a wounde, Mote aske grace, mercy, and pitè, And namëly, ther wher non may be founde! 480 For now my sore my leche wil confounde, And god of kinde so hath set myn ure, My lyves fo to have my wounde in cure!

Alas! the whyle now that I was born! Or that I ever saw the brighte sonne! 485 For now I see, that ful longe aforn, Or I was born, my desteny was sponne By Parcas sustren, to slee me, if they conne; For they my deth shopen or my sherte Only for trouthe! I may it not asterte. 490

The mighty goddesse also of Nature That under god hath the governaunce Of worldly thinges committed to her cure, Disposed hath, through her wys purveyaunce, To yeve my lady so moche suffisaunce 495 Of al vertues, and therwithal purvyde To murdre trouthe, hath take Daunger to gyde.

For bountè, beautè, shappe, and semeliheed, Prudence, wit, passingly fairnesse, Benigne port, glad chere with lowliheed, 500 Of womanheed right plenteous largesse, Nature did in her fully empresse, Whan she her wroughte; and alther-last Disdayne, To hinder trouthe, she made her chamberlayne;

Whan Mistrust also, and Fals-Suspeccioun, 505 With Misbeleve, she made for to be Cheef of counsayl to this conclusioun, For to exyle Routhe, and eek Pitè, Out of her court to make Mercy flee, So that Dispyt now holdeth forth her reyne, 510 Through hasty bileve of tales that men feyne.

And thus I am, for my trouthe, alas! Murdred and slayn with wordes sharpe and kene, Giltlees, god wot, of al maner trespas, And lye and blede upon this colde grene. 515 Now mercy, swete! mercy, my lyves quene! And to your grace of mercy yet I preye, In your servyse that your man may deye!

But if so be that I shal deye algate, And that I shal non other mercy have, 520 Yet of my dethe let this be the date That by your wille I was brought to my grave; Or hastily, if that you list me save, My sharpe woundes, that ake so and blede, Of mercy, charme, and also of womanhede. 525

For other charme, playnly, is ther non But only mercy, to helpe in this case; For though my woundes blede ever in oon, My lyf, my deeth, standeth in youre grace; And though my gilt be nothing, alas! 530 I aske mercy in al my beste entente, Redy to dye, if that ye assente.

For ther-ayeines shal I never stryve In worde ne werke; playnly, I ne may; For lever I have than to be alyve 535 To dye soothly, and it be her to pay; Ye, though it be this eche same day Or whan that ever her liste to devyse; Suffyceth me to dye in your servyse.

And god, that knowest the thought of every wight 540 Right as it is, in +al thing thou mayst see, Yet, ere I dye, with all my fulle might Lowly I pray, to graunte[n] unto me That ye, goodly, fayre, fresshe, and free, Which slee me only for defaute of routhe, 545 Or that I dye, ye may knowe my trouthe.

For that, in sothe, suffyseth unto me, And she it knowe in every circumstaunce; And after, I am wel apayd that she If that hir list, of dethe to do vengeaunce 550 Untó me, that am under her legeaunce; It sit me not her doom to disobeye, But, at her luste, wilfully to deye.

Withoute grucching or rebellioun In wille or worde, hoolly I assent, 555 Or any maner contradiccioun, Fully to be at her commaundëment; And, if I dyë, in my testament My herte I sende, and my spirit also, What-so-ever she list, with hem to do. 560

And alder-last unto her womanhede And to her mercy me I recommaunde, That lye now here, betwixe hope and drede, Abyding playnly what she list commaunde. For utterly, (this nis no demaunde), 565 Welcome to me, whyl me lasteth breeth, Right at her choise, wher it be lyf or deeth!

In this matere more what mighte I seyn, Sith in her hande and in her wille is al, Both lyf and deeth, my joy and al my payn? 570 And fynally, my heste holde I shal, Til my spirit, by desteny fatal, Whan that her liste, fro my body wende; Have here my trouthe, and thus I make an ende!'

And with that worde he gan syke as sore 575 Lyk as his herte ryve wolde atwayne, And held his pees, and spak a word no more. But, for to see his wo and mortal payne, The teres gonne fro myn eyen rayne Ful pitously, for very inward routhe 580 That I him saw so languisshing for trouthe.

And al this whyle my-self I kepte cloos Among the bowes, and my-self gan hyde, Til, at the laste, the woful man aroos, And to a logge wente ther besyde, 585 Where, al the May, his custome was t'abyde, Sole, to complaynen of his paynes kene, Fro yeer to yere, under the bowes grene.

And for bicause that it drow to the night And that the sonne his ark diurnál 590 Y-passed was, so that his persaunt light, His brighte bemes and his stremes al Were in the wawes of the water fal, Under the bordure of our ocëan, His char of golde his cours so swiftly ran: 595

And whyl the twylight and the rowes rede Of Phebus light were dëaurat a lyte, A penne I took, and gan me faste spede The woful playntë of this man to wryte Word by wordë, as he did endyte; 600 Lyk as I herde, and coude him tho reporte, I have here set, your hertes to disporte.

If ought be mis, layeth the wyte on me, For I am worthy for to bere the blame If any thing [here] misreported be, 605 To make this dytè for to seme lame Through myn unconning; but, to sayn the same, Lyk as this man his complaynt did expresse, I aske mercy and forgivënesse.

And, as I wroot, me thoughte I saw a-ferre, 610 Fer in the weste, lustely appere Esperus, the goodly brighte sterre, So glad, so fair, so persaunt eek of chere, I mene Venus, with her bemes clere, That, hevy hertes only to releve, 615 Is wont, of custom, for to shewe at eve.

And I, as faste, fel doun on my knee And even thus to her gan I to preye:-- 'O lady Venus! so faire upon to see, Let not this man for his trouthe deye, 620 For that joy thou haddest whan thou leye With Mars thy knight, whan Vulcanus you fond, And with a chayne invisible you bond

Togider, bothe twayne, in the same whyle That al the court above celestial 625 At youre shame gan for to laughe and smyle! A! fairë lady! welwilly founde at al, Comfort to careful, O goddesse immortal! Be helping now, and do thy diligence To let the stremes of thyn influence 630

Descende doun, in forthering of the trouthe, Namely, of hem that lye in sorowe bounde; Shew now thy might, and on hir wo have routhe Er fals Daunger slee hem and confounde. And specially, let thy might be founde 635 For to socourë, what-so that thou may, The trewe man that in the herber lay,

And alle trewe forther, for his sake, O gladde sterre, O lady Venus myne! And cause his lady him to grace take. 640 Her herte of stele to mercy so enclyne, Er that thy bemes go up, to declyne, And er that thou now go fro us adoun, Fór that love thou haddest to Adoun!'

And whan that she was gon unto her reste, 645 I roos anon, and hoom to bedde wente, For verily, me thoughte it for the beste; Prayinge thus, in al my best entente, That alle trewe, that be with Daunger shente, With mercy may, in reles of hir payn, 650 Recured be, er May come eft agayn.

And for that I ne may no lenger wake, Farewel, ye lovers alle, that be trewe! Praying to god; and thus my leve I take, That, er the sonne to-morowe be risen newe, 655 And er he have ayein his rosen hewe, That eche of you may have suche a grace, His owne lady in armes to embrace.

I mene thus, that, in al honestee, Withoute more, ye may togider speke 660 What so ye listë, at good libertee, That eche may to other hir herte breke, On Jelousyë only to be wreke, That hath so longe, of malice and envye, Werreyed Trouthe with his tirannye. 665

LENVOY.

Princesse, plese it your benignitee This litel dytè for to have in mynde! Of womanhedë also for to see Your trewe man may youre mercy finde; And Pitè eek, that long hath be behinde, 670 Let him ayein be próvoked to grace; For, by my trouthe, it is ayeines kinde, Fals Daunger for to occupye his place!

Go, litel quayre, unto my lyves queen, And my very hertes soverayne; 675 And be right glad; for she shal thee seen; Suche is thy grace! But I, alas! in payne Am left behinde, and not to whom to playne. For Mercy, Routhe, Grace, and eek Pitè Exyled be, that I may not attayne 680 Recure to finde of myn adversitè.

_Explicit._

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); _collated with_ F. (Fairfax 16); B. (Bodley 638, _imperfect_); T. (Tanner 346); D. (Digby 181); S. (Arch. Selden B. 24); _I have also consulted_ Ad. (Addit. 16165); _and_ P. (Pepys 2006). 2. Th. reed; F. D. rede. 4. S. his (_for 2nd_ the). 5. Th. away; F. awey. 6. Th. D. orizont; F. T. S. orisont. 7. Th. bidde al; MSS. _om._ al. F. T. _om._ lovers. 10. Th. bade. F. T. D. S. _om. 2nd_ hem. 11. D. gladde; _rest_ glad. _All_ grey (_or_ gray). 13. Th. Bade; MSS. Bad. _All_ dispyte (dispite). 14. S. go take (_rest om._ go). 15. Th. syghe. 16. F. out stert. 18. Th. sicknesse; MSS. sekenes. F. S. sat; _rest_ sate. Th. aye. Th. nye.

20. F. atte; T. at; _rest_ at the. S. sum; _rest_ some, su_m_me. P. reles; D. relece; T. relese; F. relesse; Th. release. 21. F. halt; Th. halte. 22. T. S. roos; _rest_ rose. Th. thought. 23. Th. wodde; S. wod; _rest_ wode. Th. byrdes. 24. Th. T. D. vapoure; F. S. vapour. F. D. agoon; T. Th. agone. 25. F. morownyng; T. morownynge; Th. moronyng. 26. Th. lyke; F. lykyng (!); _rest_ like; _read_ lyk. 27. Th. leaues. 32. F. the (_for_ hir). 33. Th. D. splaye; F. T. S. splay; _read_ splayen. F. S. on; _rest_ in. 34. Th. T. Agayne; F. Ageyn; D. Ayen. S. gold; _rest_ golde. 35. Th. T. downe; F. dovn; D. down; S. doun. 36. Th. forthe. 37. F. berel; S. beriall; Th. byrel; T. byrell; D. birele. 39. D. S. Toward; F. Tovard; Th. T. Towarde. 40. Th. compace; MSS. compas. 41. T. myghte; S. m_ich_ty (!); _rest_ might. Th. gone; F. goon. 42. S. park; _rest_ parke. 43. T. wente; _rest_ went. Th. byrdes; _rest_ briddes. S. song; _rest_ songe. 44. Th. branches; F. T. D. braunches. Th. and (_correctly_); _rest omit_. 45. Th. sange; S. sang; P. song; F. T. D. songe. Th. woode. S. P. rong; _rest_ ronge. 47. T. thoughte; Th. F. D. thought.

48. T. myghte; _rest_ might. T. D. wraste; S. brest; Th. F. wrest. 49. T. breste; D. braste; Th. F. brest; S. to-brest. 51. F. T. P. tapites; Th. D. tapettes. 52. Th. F. T. -selfe (_better_ selve). F. celured; D. coloured; S. silu_er_ed; Th. T. couered. 54. Th. beautie. F. T. may not (_for_ may). 55. S. assaut; _rest_ assaute. 56. Th. sphere; hotte. Th. F. T. D. shone (_read_ shoon). 57, 59. S. wynd, kynd; _rest_ wynde, kynde. 58. S. P. among; _rest_ amonge. T. blossomes; D. blossoms; Th. blosomes; F. blosmes. 59. _All_ holsom (holsum). Th. F. T. D. and so; S. _om._ so. 60. F. T. blomes; S. blomys; Th. blosmes; D. blossoms. 61. _All_ gan, can; _see_ l. 579. 62. S. that; _rest om._ F. their; T. theire; Th. D. there; S. thai; _read_ hir. 63. F. D. Ayens; Th. Ayenst; T. Agayne. 64. T. S. saw; Th. F. D. sawe (!). F. ther; _rest_ the; _cf._ l. 71. S. Daphin; _rest_ Daphene; _read_ Daphne. 65. Th. holsome; _rest_ holsom (-sum). 68. F. phibert; Th. T. filberte; D. filberde; S. filbard. Th. F. dothe. 69. Th. S. adoun; _rest_ doun. 70. F. I-called; _rest_ called. 71. Th. T. D. sawe. P. hawethorn; _rest_ hawthorn, hawthorne, hauthorne. 72. S. motle; F. motele; _rest_ motley. (_Read_ swoot?). Th. dothe smel. 73. _All_ Asshe; _read_ Ash. _All_ oke; _read_ ook. S. [gh]ong; T. fressh (!); _rest_ yonge. S. accorne; _rest_ acorne.

74. Th. tel. 75. S. beforn; D. before; _rest_ beforne. Th. sawe; wel. 76. T. cours; S. courss; _rest_ course. 77. Th. hyl; quicke streames. 78. S. P. gold; D. colde; _rest_ golde. 78, 80. F. glas, gras; Th. glasse, grasse. 79. wel. 80. Ad. velowet. 81. Th. T. D. lustely (T. lustily) came (cam) springyng; F. lustely gan syng (!); S. lustily gan spryng. 83. Th. F. wel; T. D. welle. 85. _From this point I silently correct obvious errors in spelling of_ Th. _by collation with the_ MSS. Th. holsome. S. and; _rest_ and so. 86. Th. Thorowe. S. there; _rest omit_. 87, 92, 94. _I read_ lyk _for_ lyke. 87. F. T. D. Narcius (!). 89. T. dyde; _rest_ dyd, did. 90. S. cruell; _rest omit_. 95. Th. that; _rest_ as. F. T. P. his; _rest_ her. 101. S. perce; D. perce; Th. peerce; F. T. perysh (!) 103. Th. ouermore (!).

107. Th. F. thrust; T. thurste; P. D. thurst. 110. S. adoun; Th. F. P. downe; _rest_ down, doun. 113-126. S. _omits_. 122. Th. delectable. 127. D. ynde; T. Iende; F. cende (?); Th. gende; S. of Inde. 138. S. constreynt; _rest_ constraynyng.

147. Th. priuely me; _rest_ me priuely. (_Read_ busshes prively me shroude?). 151. Th. _om. 2nd_ his. 154. _For_ among _perhaps read_ anon. 159. S. the; _rest omit_. 162. Th. therto; _rest_ there. 168. F. P. awaped. 175. D. hem; S. thame; _rest om._

179. Th. _om._ this. 181. _So all._ 184. F. delful; T. delefull; S. dulefull; D. doilfull. 187. S. quhoso; _rest_ who. S. writen; _rest_ write (wryte). 191. D. no knowyng haue; _rest_ haue no knowyng. 192. S. writen; _rest_ write (wryte). 198. F. S. as; _rest om._ 202. Th. disencrease; F. disencrese; T. disencrece; D. disencrees. 205. S. louyng. 206. F. hindered; S. hind_er_it; _rest_ hindred.

212. F. T. deleful; S. dulfull; D. wofull. 214. S. grete; _rest om._ 216. S. with full; _rest omit_ (_I omit_ full). COMPLEYNT; _in_ F. _only_. 225. D. grownded. 227. F. S. dule; D. dooll. 230. Th. T. chyuer; F. shyuer; D. chevir; S. chill. 233. T. D. fro; S. from; Th. F. for (_twice_). 234. Th. T. D. yse; F. Ise; S. Iss. 239. S. distress. 241. _So_ D. P.; S. doth his besyness; Th. euer doth his besy payne; F. eu_er_e doth besy peyn; T. euur doth his bysy hate (_sic_). 242. T. Agaynes; F. D. Ayens; Th. Ayenst; S. A[gh]eynis. S. and to; _rest om._ to. 243. Th. _om._ wolde.

245. T. wolde; S. wold; Th. D. wol; F. will. 247. T. myghte; Th. F. might. 248. S. for; _rest om._ 251, 252. T. D. lette, whette; Th. F. let, whet. _All_ despite. 253. S. A[gh]eynes; T. Agaynes; F. D. Ayens; Th. Agaynst. 257. P. of wrath. 258. S. a[gh]eynes; T. agaynes; F. D. ayens; Th. agaynst. 260, 262. Th. tel, bel; _rest_ telle, belle. S. rong; F. T. D. ronge; Th. range. 267, 269. S. lond, fond; _rest_ londe, fonde. 271. Th. D. falshode; F. S. falshed; T. falsehede. 276. Th. D. be; _rest_ ben.

277. S. sat; _rest_ sate, satte. 281. F. non ne may; _rest_ may non. 283. D. oth; S. soth; _rest_ othe. 285. Th. F. T. P. clepe; D. speke; S. cleke (!). 297. T. D. full_e_; Th. F. ful. 298. Th. S. one; _rest_ oon. 299. F. more (_for_ any). 303. Th. cal. 305. Th. fal. 306. Th. al. 307. _All_ the name; _I omit_ the. 308. _All_ the blame; _read_ ber'the.

314, 315. D. lowlyheed, speed; _rest_ -hede, spede. 322. _All_ Vn-to; _read_ To. 323. F. sithe; S. sithen; _rest_ sith. 332. _Perhaps omit_ his. D. payn; T. peyn; _rest_ payne (peyne). 337. S. bet; F. bette; _rest_ better. 338. Th. F. _om. 2nd_ his. 339. T. lady; F. ladye; _rest_ ladyes. 346. D. perelees; F. T. S. P. pereles; Th. peerles.

347. T. liste of hym; S. can of him. 349. F. Gades; S. Gadis; _rest_ Gaddes. 351. Th. P. _om._ ben. 352. S. Y-sett; D. Sette. 355. _I supply_ he. 357. S. [gh]it; _rest omit_. 360. S. fresch; _rest omit_. 363. T. dide; _rest_ did. 368. S. eke; _rest omit_. 374. F. Tereus (_for_ Theseus). 378. F. falshed; S. falshede. 379. _I supply_ knight. 380. _All_ eke; _read_ also. _I supply_ al.

382. S. and thair (_for_ and hir); _rest omit_ thair (= hir). 384. Th. lieges. 386. _So all._ 391. S. worthi kny_ch_t & hir trew; _rest omit_ worthi _and_ trew. _I follow_ S.; _but omit_ and. 393. F. T. Ipomones; Th. Ypomedes; S. P. Ypomenes; D. Ipomeus. 394. _I supply_ was. 400. F. lovers; T. louys; _rest_ loues. 403. S. trewe; _rest_ trewe men. 405. Th. moost. 407. D. S. oth; _rest_ othe. 409. F. P. S. port; _rest_ porte. 411. S. no; _rest omit_. 413. Th. lytel; P. litill; D. litle; _rest_ lyte.

414. F. nother; _rest_ nor. 415. Th. syknesse; F. sekenesse. 419. D. Iupardy; _rest_ in partynge (_for_ iupartynge); _read_ juparting; cf. l. 475. 421. F. fals (_error for_ false); _rest omit_. 426. S. double (_for_ pitous). 429. S. falss; _rest om._ 435. Th. F. P. bye; D. bie; T. bey; S. by. 437. Th. T. S. sene; F. seen; P. D. seyn. 438. Th. sticken; P. D. stekyn. 439. S. P. the; _rest om._ 447. S. [gh]it; _rest om._

449. _I supply_ she. S. ysuorn; _rest om._ y-. 451. Th. _om._ have. 453. T. D. S. aboue (_for_ of love); _see_ l. 454. 461. S. blend (_read_ blent); _rest_ blynde (blinde). 462. S. as he wend (_read_ went); Th. by wende (!); _rest_ by wenynge (!). 464. F. T. avise; D. avice; S. aviss; Th. aduyse. 467. S. P. frend; _rest_ frende. 468. B. _begins here_. _I supply_ and. 469. T. lette; F. leteth; Th. letteth; B. D. letith; S. lattith. 471. B. F. S. he doth; Th. T. doth to. 475. Th. ieopardye; S. Iup_ar_tye; F. partie (!); B. D. T. Iupardye; P. Iupard.

488. Th. systerne. 489. S. haue schapen (_for_ shopen). 494. F. hath; Th. haue. 501. F. B. plentevous. Th. largnesse. 508. Th. trouthe; S. treuth; _rest_ routhe; _see_ l. 679. 514. Th. Gyltlesse; F. Giltles; P. Gylteles.

523. F. B. P. ye (_for_ you). 530. F. B. S. gilt; _rest_ gylte (gilte). 533. S. a[gh]eynes; T. agaynes; F. B. D. ayens; Th. agaynst. 536. S. [gh]ow to pay; _rest_ her to pay. 537. Th. _om._ eche. 538. T. D. liste; _rest_ list. 541. _All_ euery; _read_ al. 543. _All_ graunte (graunt); _read_ graunten. 545. Th. onely sle me; MSS. slee me only. 547. S. vnto; _rest om._ 548. S. If (_for_ And). 549. S. apaid; _rest_ payd (paid). 550. _For_ to _read_ shal? 551. F. P. legeaunce; Th. D. ligeaunce; T. lygeaunce.

553. T. D. luste; Th. F. B. lust. S. Quherso hir list to do me lyue or deye. 555. S. hoolly; Th. holy. 560. Th. T. D. lyste; F. S. P. list. 561. S. vnto; _rest_ to. 566. S. quhill þ_a_t me. 568. Th. mater. 571. F. B. P. hest. 573. T. liste; _rest_ list (lust). 575. T. sike; S. to sike; Th. D. sygh; F. B. sile (!). 577. Th. no worde. 581. Th. long wisshing (!). Th. S. for; F. B. D. P. for his; T. for her. 583. S. P. gan; _rest_ gonne (gunne).

587. S. compleynen; _rest_ complayne. 598. T. faste; _rest_ fast. 605. _I supply_ here. 606. Th. dytte. 611. T. D. weste; _rest_ west. 617. T. D. faste; _rest_ fast. S. D. F. doun; Th. adowne; D. T. Adoun. 622. T. you; _rest om._

626. S. for to; _rest om._ 627. MSS. welwilly; Th. wyl I (!). 636. Th. socouer (_misprint_). 645. S. vnto; _rest_ to. 647. S. verily; Th. T. D. wery (!); B. very wery (!); F. werry wery (!); P. very. 650. F. B. reles; T. D. relese; Th. release; S. relesche. 656. Th. T. S. P. _om._ his.

659. Th. _om._ that. 663. Th. ialousyes; D. Ielosies; _rest_ Ielosye. 664. T. B. P. of; _rest_ of his. 665. S. Werreyed; D. Werried; _rest_ Werred. 666. MSS. Princes; Th. Pryncesse. Th. pleaseth; F. pleseth; P. plesith (_read_ plese). Th. it to your; _rest om._ to. 667. S. P. for; _rest om._ 669. Th. D. _om._ trewe. 673. S. for; _rest om._

* * * * *

IX. THE FLOUR OF CURTESYE.

In Fevrier, whan the frosty mone Was horned, ful of Phebus fyry light, And that she gan to reyse her stremes sone, Saint Valentyne! upon thy blisful night Of duëtee, whan glad is every wight, 5 And foules chese (to voyde hir olde sorowe) Everich his make, upon the nexte morowe;

The same tyme, I herde a larke singe Ful lustely, agayn the morowe gray-- 'Awake, ye lovers, out of your slombringe, 10 This gladde morowe, in al the haste ye may; Some óbservaunce doth unto this day, Your choise ayen of herte to renewe In cónfirming, for ever to be trewe!

And ye that be, of chesing, at your large, 15 This lusty day, by custome of nature, Take upon you the blisful holy charge To serve lovë, whyl your lyf may dure, With herte, body, and al your besy cure, For evermore, as Venus and Cipryde 20 For you disposeth, and the god Cupyde.

For joye owe we playnly to obeye Unto this lordes mighty ordinaunce, And, mercilesse, rather for to deye Than ever in you be founden variaunce; 25 And, though your lyf be medled with grevaunce, And, at your herte, closed be your wounde, Beth alway one, ther-as ye are bounde!'

Thát whan I had herd, and listed longe, With devout herte, the lusty melodye 30 Of this hevenly comfortable songe So ágreable, as by harmonye, I roos anon, and faste gan me hye Toward a grove, and the way [gan] take Foules to sene, everich chese his make. 35

And yet I was ful thursty in languisshing; Myn ague was so fervent in his hete, Whan Aurora, for drery complayning, Can distille her cristal teres wete Upon the soile, with silver dewe so swete; 40 For she [ne] durste, for shame, not apere Under the light of Phebus bemes clere.

And so, for anguisshe of my paynes kene, And for constraynte of my sighes sore, I sette me doun under a laurer grene 45 Ful pitously; and alway more and more, As I beheld into the holtes hore, I gan complayne myn inward deedly smerte, That ay so sore +crampisshed myn herte.

And whyl that I, in my drery payne, 50 Sat, and beheld aboute on every tree The foules sitten, alway twayne and twayne, Than thoughte I thus: 'alas! what may this be, That every foul hath his libertee Frely to chesen after his desyre 55 Everich his make thus, fro yeer to yere?

The sely wrenne, the titmose also, The litel redbrest, have free eleccioun To flyen y-ferë and +togider go Wher-as hem liste, abouten enviroun, 60 As they of kynde have inclinacoun, And as Nature, emperesse and gyde, Of every thing, liste to provyde;

But man aloon, alas! the harde stounde! Ful cruelly, by kyndes ordinaunce, 65 Constrayned is, and by statut bounde, And debarred from alle such plesaunce. What meneth this? What is this purveyaunce Of god above, agayn al right of kynde, Withoute cause, so narowe man to bynde?' 70

Thus may I [soothly] seen, and playne, alas! My woful houre and my disaventure, That dolefully stonde in the same cas So fer behyndë, from al helth and cure. My wounde abydeth lyk a sursanure; 75 For me Fortune so felly list dispose, My harm is hid, that I dar not disclose.

For I my herte have set in suche a place Wher I am never lykly for to spede; So fer I am hindred from her grace 80 That, save daunger, I have non other mede. And thus, alas! I not who shal me rede Ne for myn helpe shape remedye, For Male-bouche, and for false Envye:

The whiche twayne ay stondeth in my wey 85 Maliciously; and Fals Suspeccioun Is very causë also that I dey, Ginning and rote of my distruccioun; So that I fele, [as] in conclusioun, With hir traynes that they wol me shende, 90 Of my labour that deth mot make an ende!

Yet, or I dye, with herte, wil, and thought To god of lovë this avowe I make, (As I best can, how dere that it be bought, Wher-so it be, that I slepe or wake, 95 Whyl Boreas doth the leves shake) As I have hight, playnly, til I sterve, For wele or wo, that I shal [ay] her serve.

And, for her sake, now this holy tyme, Saint Valentyne! somwhat shal I wryte 100 Al-though so be that I can not ryme, Nor curiously by no crafte endyte, Yet lever I have, that she putte the wyte In unconning than in negligence, What-ever I sayë of her excellence. 105

What-ever I saye, it is of duëtee, In sothfastnesse and no presumpcioun; This I ensure to you that shal it see, That it is al under correccioun; What I reherce in commendacioun 110 Of herë that I shal to you, as blyve, So as I can, her vertues here discryve.--

¶ Right by example as the somer-sonne Passeth the sterre with his bemes shene, And Lucifer among the skyës donne 115 A-morowe sheweth to voyde nightes tene, So verily, withouten any wene, My lady passeth (who-so taketh hede) Al tho alyve, to speke of womanhede.

And as the ruby hath the soveraintè 120 Of riche stones and the regalyë; And [as] the rose, of swetnesse and beautè, Of fresshe floures, withouten any lyë; Right so, in sothe, with her goodly yë, She passeth al in bountee and fairnesse, 125 Of maner ekë, and of gentilnesse.

For she is bothe the fairest and the beste, To reken al in very sothfastnesse; For every vertue is in her at reste; And furthermore, to speke of stedfastnesse, 130 She is the rotë; and of seemlinesse The very mirrour; and of governaunce To al example, withouten variaunce.

Of port benigne, and wonder glad of chere, Having evermore her trewe advertence 135 Alway to reson; so that her desyre Is brydeled ay by witte and providence; Thereto, of wittë and of hy prudence She is the wellë, ay devoide of pryde, That unto vertue her-selven is the gyde! 140

And over this, in her daliaunce Lowly she is, discret, wyse, [and secree], And goodly gladde by attemperaunce, That every wight, of high and low degree, Are gladde in herte with her for to be; 145 Só that, shortly, if I shal not lye, She named is 'The Flour of Curtesye.'

And there, to speke of femininitee, The leste mannish in comparisoun, Goodly abasshed, having ay pitee 150 Of hem that been in tribulacioun; For she aloon is consolacioun To al that arn in mischeef and in nede, To comforte hem, of her womanhede.

And ay in vertue is her besy charge, 155 Sadde and demure, and but of wordes fewe; Dredful also of tonges that ben large, Eschewing ay hem that listen to hewe Above hir heed, hir wordes for to shewe, Dishonestly to speke of any wight; 160 She deedly hateth of hem to have a sight.

The herte of whom so honest is and clene, And her entent so faithful and entere That she ne may, for al the world, sustene To suffre her eres any word to here, 165 Of frend nor fo, neither fer ne nere, Amis resowning, that hinder shulde his name; And if she do, she wexeth reed for shame.

So trewëly in mening she is set, Without chaunging or any doublenesse; 170 For bountee and beautee ar togider knet In her personë, under faithfulnesse; For void she is of newëfangelnesse; In herte ay oon, for ever to perséver Ther she is set, and never to dissever. 175

I am to rude her vertues everichoon Cunningly [for] to discryve and wryte; For wel ye wot, colour[es] have I noon Lyk her discrecioun craftely t'endyte; For what I sayë, al it is to lyte. 180 Whérfor to you thus I me excuse, That I aqueynted am not with no muse!

By rethoryke my style to governe, In her preyse and commendacioun, I am to blind, so hyly to discerne, 185 Of her goodnesse to make discripcioun, Save thus I sayë, in conclusioun, If that I shal shortly [her] commende, In her is naught that Nature can amende.

For good she is, lyk to Policene, 190 And, in fairnesse, to the quene Helayne; Stedfast of herte, as was Dorigene, And wyfly trouthë, if I shal not fayne: In constaunce eke and faith, she may attayne To Cleopatre; and therto as +secree 195 As was of Troye the whyte Antigone;

As Hester meke; lyk Judith of prudence; Kynde as Alceste or Marcia Catoun; And to Grisilde lyk in pacience, And Ariadne, of discrecioun; 200 And to Lucrece, that was of Rome toun, She may be lykned, as for honestè; And, for her faith, unto Penelope.

To faire Phyllis and to Hipsiphilee, For innocencë and for womanhede; 205 For seemlinessë, unto Canacee; And over this, to speke of goodlihede, She passeth alle that I can of rede; For worde and dede, that she naught ne falle, Acorde in vertue, and her werkes alle. 210

For though that Dydo, with [her] witte sage, Was in her tyme stedfast to Enee, Of hastinesse yet she did outrage; And so for Jason did also Medee. But my lady is so avisee 215 That, bountee and beautee bothe in her demeyne, She maketh bountee alway soverayne.

This is to mene, bountee goth afore, Lad by prudence, and hath the soveraintee; And beautee folweth, ruled by her lore, 220 That she +n'offendë her in no degree; So that, in one, this goodly fresshe free Surmounting al, withouten any were, Is good and fair, in oon persone y-fere.

And though that I, for very ignoraunce, 225 Ne may discryve her vertues by and by, Yet on this day, for a rémembraunce, Only supported under her mercy, With quaking hondë, I shal ful humbly To her hynesse, my rudenes for to quyte, 230 A litel balade here bineth endyte,

Ever as I can suppryse in my herte, Alway with fere, betwixe drede and shame, Lest out of lose any word asterte In this metre, to make it seme lame; 235 Chaucer is deed, that hadde suche a name Of fair making, that [was], withoute wene, Fairest in our tonge, as the laurer grene.

We may assaye for to counterfete His gaye style, but it wil not be; 240 The welle is drye, with the licour swete, Bothe of Clio and of Caliopè; And first of al, I wol excuse me To her, that is [the] ground of goodlihede; And thus I saye until hir womanhede:-- 245

BALADE SIMPLE.

¶ 'With al my mightë, and my beste entente, With al the faith that mighty god of kynde Me yaf, sith he me soule and knowing sente, I chese, and to this bonde ever I me bynde, To love you best, whyl I have lyf and mynde':-- 250 Thus herde I foules in the dawëninge Upon the day of saint Valentyne singe.

'Yet chese I, at the ginning, in this entente, To love you, though I no mercy fynde; And if you liste I dyed, I wolde assente, 255 As ever twinne I quik out of this lynde! Suffyseth me to seen your fetheres ynde':-- Thus herde I foules in the morweninge Upon the day of saint Valentyne singe.

'And over this, myn hertes lust to-bente, 260 In honour only of the wodëbynde, Hoolly I yeve, never to repente In joye or wo, wher-so that I wynde Tofore Cupyde, with his eyën blynde':-- The foules alle, whan Tytan did springe, 265 With dévout herte, me thoughte I herde singe!

LENVOY.

¶ Princesse of beautee, to you I represente This simple dytè, rude as in makinge, Of herte and wil faithful in myn entente, Lyk as, this day, [the] foules herde I singe. 270

HERE ENDETH THE FLOUR OF CURTESYE.

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532). TITLE: Th. The Floure of Curtesy; (ed. 1561 _adds_--made by Ihon Lidgate). _I note here the rejected spellings._ 1. Feverier. 2. firy. 3. streames. 5. dutie. 6. her. 7. Eueryche; next. 9. agayne. 11. glad. 12. dothe. 15. chosyng. 18. whyle; lyfe. 20. Cipride. 22. obey.

26. lyfe. 26. closet. 27. there. 29. herde. 30. deuoute. 32. ermonye. 33. rose. 34. Towarde; _supply_ gan. 35. eueryche chose. 39. distyl; (_read_ distille); chrystal teeres. 41. _Supply_ ne. 42. beames. 45. set; downe. 47. behelde. 48. inwarde. 49. aye; crampessh at (_read_ crampisshed). 50. whyle. 51. Sate; behelde; tre. 52. sytte (_read_ sitten). 53. thought. 54. foule. 55. chose (_read_ chesen). 56. Eueryche; yere to yere.

57. tytemose. 58. election. 59. togyther (_read_ togider). 60. Where as; lyst aboute envyron. 61. inclynacion. 62. empresse (_read_ emperesse). 63. lyst. 64. alone. 66. statute. 67. al suche. 69. agayne. 70. Without. 71. _Supply_ soothly; sene. 73. doulfully; caas. 74. ferre. 75. lyke. 76. lyste. 77. harme; dare. 79. lykely. 80. ferre. 81. none. 83. myne. 85. aye. 86. false suspection. 88. distruction. 89. _Supply_ as; conclusyon.

91. dethe mote. 94. howe. 95. Where so. 96. Whyle; dothe; leaues. 98. wel; _supply_ ay. 99. nowe. 103. put. 106. say; dute (_read_ duetee). 107. presumpcion. 108. se. 109. correction. 110. co_m_mendacion. 111. her (_read_ here). 114. beames. 115. amonge. 122. _Supply_ as; swetenesse. 123. without. 124. eye.

125. bountie; fayrenesse. 128. reken (_read_ reknen?). 131. semelynesse. 136. reason. 137. aye. 138. hye. 139. aye. 142. discrete and wyse (_read_ discret wyse; _and supply_ secree _for the rime_). 144. lowe. 145. glad. 147. Floure. 148. femynyte (!). 149. mannyshe; comparison. 150. aye pyte. 151. ben; trybulacion. 152. alone; -cion. 153. arne; mischefe. 155. aye. 157. Dredeful. 158. aye. 159. her (_twice_.)

164. worlde. 165. eeres; worde. 166. frende; foe; ferre. 167. Amysse. 169. trewly; is in sette (_om._ in). 171. bountie; beautie are togyther knette. 173. voyde; newfanglenesse (_or read_ voide _and_ newfangelnesse). 174. aye one. 175. There; sette. 176. euerychone. 177. _Supply_ for. 178. colour; none. 179. Lyke; to endyte. 180. say. 181. Wherfore. 184. co_m_mendacion. 185. blynde; hylye. 186. discrypcion. 187. say; conclusyon. 188. _Supply_ her. 190. lyke. 191. fayrenesse.

193. wyfely. 194. faythe. 195. setrone (!); _read_ secree (_see note_). 197. lyke. 198. Alcest. 199. lyke. 202. lykened. 203. faythe. 206. semelynesse; Canace. 208. al. 209, 210. fal, al. 211. _Supply_ her. 216. bountie; beautie. 217. bountie. 218. meane bountie gothe. 220. beautie foloweth. 221. ne fende (!); degre. 222. fre. 224. fayre; one.

228. Onely. 230. rudenesse. 233. feare; betwyxt. 234. Leste; worde. 236. had. 237. fayre; _supply_ was; without. 239. assay. 240. gay. 241. lycoure. 242. Clye (!). 244. _Supply_ the; grounde. 245. say. 246. might; best entent. 247. faythe. 248. yaue; sent. 250. whyle; lyfe. 251. daunynge. 252, 259. saynte Valentyne (? _om._ saynte). 253. begynnyng (_read_ ginning); entent. 255. assent. 256. quicke; lyne (_misprint_). 257. sene; fethers.

258. mornynge (_for_ morweninge). 260. myne; luste. 261. onely; wodde bynde. 262. Holy. 263. where so. 265. al. 266. deuoute hert; thought. 267. Lenvoye. beautie; represent. 269. entent. 270. Lyke; _supply_ the. COLOPHON: Floure; Curtesy.

* * * * *

X. A BALADE; IN COMMENDATION OF OUR LADY.

(A DEVOUTE BALADE BY LIDEGATE OF BURY, MADE AT THE REVERENCE OF OURE LADY, QWENE OF MERCY.--A.)

A thousand stories coude I mo reherce Of olde poetes, touching this matere, How that Cupyde the hertes gan so perce Of his servauntes, setting hem on fere; Lo, here the fyn of th'errour and the were! 5 Lo, here of love the guerdon and grevaunce That ever with wo his servaunts doth avaunce!

Wherfor now playnly I wol my style dresse Of one to speke, at nede that wol nat fayle; Alas! for dole, I ne can ne may expresse 10 Her passing pryse, and that is no mervayle. O wind of grace, now blow into my sayle! O aureat licour of Cleo, for to wryte My penne enspyre, of that I wolde endyte!

Alas! unworthy I am and unable 15 To love suche oon, al women surmounting, To be benigne to me, and merciable, That is of pitè the welle and eek the spring! Wherfor of her, in laude and in praysing, So as I can, supported by her grace, 20 Right thus I say, kneling tofore her face:--

O sterre of sterres, with thy stremes clere, Sterre of the see, to shipmen light and gyde, O lusty living, most plesaunt to apere, Whos brighte bemes the cloudes may not hyde; 25 O way of lyf to hem that go or ryde, Haven from tempest, surest up to ryve, On me have mercy, for thy joyes fyve!

O rightful rule, O rote of holinesse, And lightsom lyne of pitè for to playne, 30 Original ginning of grace and al goodnesse, Clenest conduit of vertue soverayne, Moder of mercy, our trouble to restrayne, Chambre and closet clenest of chastitè, And named herberwe of the deitè! 35

O hoolsom garden, al voyde of wedes wikke, Cristallin welle, of clennesse clere consigned, Fructif olyve, of foyles faire and thikke, And redolent cedre, most dereworthly digned, Remembre on sinners unto thee assigned 40 Er wikked fendes hir wrathe upon hem wreche; Lanterne of light, thou be hir lyves leche!

Paradyse of plesaunce, gladsom to al good, Benigne braunchelet of the pyne-tree, Vyneyerd vermayle, refressher of our food, 45 Licour ayein languor, palled that may not be, Blisful bawme-blossom, byding in bountè, Thy mantel of mercy on our mischef sprede, And er wo wake, wrappe us under thy wede!

O rody rosier, flouring withouten spyne, 50 Fountayne filthles, as beryl currant clere, Som drope of graceful dewe to us propyne; Light withoute nebule, shyning in thy spere, Medecyne to mischeves, pucelle withouten pere, Flame doun to doleful light of thyn influence 55 On thy servauntes, for thy magnificence!

Of al Christen protectrice and tutele, Retour of exyled, put in prescripcioun To hem that erre in the pathe of hir sequele; To wery wandred tent and pavilioun, 60 The feynte to fresshe, and the pausacioun; Unto unresty bothe reste and remedye, Fruteful to al tho that in her affye.

To hem that rennen thou art itinerárie, O blisful bravie to knightes of thy werre; 65 To wery werkmen thou art diourn denárie, Mede unto mariners that have sayled ferre; Laureat crowne, streming as a sterre To hem that putte hem in palestre for thy sake, Cours of her conquest, thou whyte as any lake! 70

Thou mirthe of martyrs, sweter than citole, Of confessours also richest donatyf, Unto virgynes eternal lauriole, Afore al women having prerogatyf; Moder and mayde, bothe widowe and wyf, 75 Of al the worlde is noon but thou alone! Now, sith thou may, be socour to my mone!

O trusty turtle, trewest of al trewe, O curteyse columbe, replete of al mekenesse, O nightingale with thy notes newe, 80 O popinjay, plumed with al clennesse, O laverok of love, singing with swetnesse, Phebus, awayting til in thy brest he lighte Under thy winge at domesday us dighte!

O ruby, rubifyed in the passioun 85 Al of thy sone, among have us in minde, O stedfast dyamaunt of duracioun, That fewe feres that tyme might thou finde, For noon to him was founden half so kinde! O hardy herte, O loving crëature, 90 What was it but love that made thee so endure?

Semely saphyre, depe loupe, and blewe ewage, Stable as the loupe, ewage of pitè, This is to say, the fresshest of visage, Thou lovest hem unchaunged that serven thee. 95 And if offence or wrything in hem be, Thou art ay redy upon hir wo to rewe, And hem receyvest with herte ful trewe.

O goodly gladded, whan that Gabriel With joy thee grette that may not be nombred! 100 Or half the blisse who coude wryte or tel Whan the holy goost to thee was obumbred, Wherthrough fendes were utterly encombred? O wemlees mayde, embelisshed in his birthe, That man and aungel therof hadden mirthe! 105

Lo, here the blossom and the budde of glorie, Of which the prophet spak so longe aforn; Lo, here the same that was in memórie Of Isaie, so longe or she was born; Lo, here of David the delicious corn; 110 Lo, here the ground that list [him] to onbelde, Becoming man, our raunsom for to yelde!

O glorious vyole, O vytre inviolat! O fyry Tytan, persing with thy bemes, Whos vertuous brightnes was in thy brest vibrat, 115 That al the world embelisshed with his lemes! Conservatrice of kingdomes and remes; Of Isaies sede O swete Sunamyte, Mesure my mourning, myn owne Margaryte!

O sovereignest, sought out of Sion, 120 O punical pome ayens al pestilence; And aureat urne, in whom was bouk and boon The agnelet, that faught for our offence Ayens the serpent with so high defence That lyk a lyoun in victorie he was founde; 125 To him commende us, of mercy most habounde!

O precious perle, withouten any pere, Cockle with gold dew from above berayned, Thou busshe unbrent, fyrles set a-fere, Flambing with fervence, not with hete payned; 130 Thou during daysye, with no +weder stayned; Flees undefouled of gentil Gedeon, And fructifying yerd thou of Aaron.

Thou misty arke, probatik piscyne, Laughing Aurora, and of pees olyve; 135 Columpne and base, up bering from abyme; Why nere I conning, thee for to discryve? Chosen of Joseph, whom he took to wyve, Unknowing him, childing by greet mirácle, And of our manhode trewe tabernacle! 140

_From_ Th.; _collated with_ A. (Ashmole 59); _and_ Sl. (Sloane 1212). 1. A. I kouþe to you. 2. A. clerkis (_for_ poetes); the (_for_ this). 3. A. cane mens hertes presse (!). 4. Th. hem; A. þeire hertes. Th. in fere; A. a fuyre. 5. A. With ful daunger payeþe his subgettes hyre. Sl. weere; Th. fere. 7. Th. Sl. euer; A. aye. Sl. A. his ... doth; Th. her ... do. 8. Th. nowe; A. _om._ Sl. redresse. 10. A. Ellas I ne can ne may not ful expresse. 11. Th. Sl. and that; A. the whiche. 12. Th. wynde. Sl. into; Th. unto. A. þou blowe nowe to my. 13. Th. auryate; A. aureate. A. _om._ of. 14. A. tenspyre of whiche I thenk to wryte. Sl. wold; Th. wol. 15. A. But sith I am sonworthy (!). 16. Sl. on; Th. A. one. 17. A. To; Th. Sl. But she.

18. A. Whiche of pytee is welle. 19. Th. Sl. of; A. to. 20. Th. Sl. can; A. am. 22. A. O souereine sterre. 24. Sl. lemand (_for_ living). Sl. most; Th. A. moste. 25. Th. Whose bright beames. Th. Sl. may; A. cane. 26. A. lyff; Th. Sl. lyfe. 27. A. frome; Th. Sl. after. 29. Sl. rote; Th. A. bote. 31. A. gynnyng of grace and; Th. Sl. begynning of grace and al. 32. A. Clennest; Th. And clenest. Th. Sl. _ins._ most _bef._ sovereyne. 33. A. Moder; Th. Mother. 34. A. al cloose closette; Th. Sl. and closet clennest. 35. Th. herbrough; Sl. herberwe. A. The hyest herber (!) of al the. 36. A. holsome; Th. Sl. closed. A. _om._ al. 37. A. Welle cristallyne. A. Sl. clennesse; Th. clerenesse. 38. A. Fructyff; Th. Fructyfyed. Th. fayre; A. so feyre. 39. A. _om._ And. A. _om._ most. 40. A _om._ on. Sl. pecchours (_for_ sinners). A. unto; Th. Sl. that to the be. 41. Th. Sl. Or wikked; A. Er foule. A. on hem þeire wrathe. Sl. upon; Th. on. 42. Th. _om._ be. 43. A. Thou Paradys plesante, gladnesse of goode. 44. A. And benigne braunche. 45. A. Vyneyerde vermayle; Th. Sl. Vynarie enuermayled. Sl. food; Th. A. bote.

46. Th. ayen al langour; A. geyne langoure. A. palde that; Th. Sl. that palled. 47. Sl. Blisful bawme; A. Thou blessed; Th. Blysful blomy. 48. Sl. misericord on our myschef. Th. on our myserie; A. vppon vs spilt thou. 49. Th. awake. A. wake and wrappe vs ay vnder. 50. A. O rede roos raylling withouten. Th. without. 51. Th. al fylthlesse; A. _om._ al. A. currant as beryle. Th. byrel. 52. Th. Sl. of thy; _I omit_ thy. A. Grace of thy dewe til vs thou do propyne. 53. Th. O light; Sl. Thou lyght. A. Thou louely light, shynynge in bright spere. 54. A. missers; Th. mischeues; Sl. myscheuows. A. withouten; Th. without. 55. Th. Flambe; A. Dryve. Sl. to; Th. A. the. A. _om._ doleful. 56. A. On; Th. Sl. Rem_em_bring. 58. Sl. Retour; Th. Returne; A. Recure. A. Sl. in; Th. in the. 59. A. To therroures of the pathe sequele. 60. A. For (_for_ To). Sl. wandrid; Th. forwandred; A. wandering. 61. _So_ A. Th. To faynte and to fresshe the. 62. A. To wery wightes ful reste. 63. Th. tho that; A. that hem. A. _omits_ ll. 64-119. 64. Th. arte. 66. Sl. thou art; Th. she is. Th. diourne. 68. Th. Laureate. 69. Th. put; palastre. 71. Sl. Thow; Th. O. Th. myrthe; swetter; sytole. 72. Sl. _om._ also. Th. donatyfe.

74. Th. -tyfe. 75. Th. Mother; wyfe. 76. Sl. In all this. Sl. noon; Th. none. 78. Sl. trewest; Th. truefastest. 81. Sl. plumed; Th. pured. 82. Sl. larke. 83. Sl. in; Th. on. 83, 84. lyght, dyght. 85. passyon. 86. Sl. All_e_; Th. _om._ Th. sonne. Sl. among haue us; Th. vs haue amonge. 87. Sl. dyamaunt; Th. dyametre. 88. Sl. that; Th. any. 89. halfe. 91. the. 92. Th. saphre (_sic_); Sl. saffyr. 95. _So_ Sl. Th. unchaunged hem. 96. Sl. writhyng; Th. varyeng. 97. arte; her. 98. hert; _see note_. 99. gladed. 100. the. 102. goste; the. 103. Sl. vtterly; Th. bytterly. 104. wemlesse. Th. in; Sl. with.

106. blosme. 107. Th. prophete; Sl. prophetys. Sl. spak so long aforn; Th. so longe spake beforne. 109, 110. borne, corne. 111. Th. of lyfe in to bilde; Sl. that list to onbelde. 113. Sl. o vitre; Th. and vyte. Th. inuyolate. 115. Th. _om._ thy; vibrate. 116. Sl. his; Th. the. 117. Sl. kyngdamys; Th. kynges dukes. Sl. remys; Th. realmes. 118. Sl. o; Th. _om._ 120. A. souereine. Th. A. sought; Sl. sowth. Th. out of; Sl. of out; A. fer oute. 121-127. _In_ Sl. _only_. 121. Sl. alle. 122. Sl. auryat; book and born (!); _see note_. 125. Sl. victory. 126. Sl. moost. 127. Sl. ony. 128. Th. golde dewe; A. glorie. 129. A. Sl. Thou; Th. Dewe (!). Sl. ferlett (!) set affere; A. fuyrles thou sette vppon; Th. fyrelesse fyre set on. 130. Sl. peyned; A. empeyred (!). 131. Sl. Th. _om._ Thou. A. with; Th. that. Th. A. wether. A. disteyned. 132. Th. Fleece. A. gentyle; Th. gentylest. 133. Th. Sl. _insert_ fayrest _after_ fructifyeng (_sic_). A. yerde thowe; Th. Sl. the yerde.

134. A. Thowe; Sl. Th. The. Sl. mysti; Th. A. mighty. Sl. probatyk; Th. probatyfe; A. the probatyf. 135. A. Aurora; Th. aurore. A. tholyve; Sl. Th. olyue. 136. A. Pillor from base beryng from abysme. 137. A. Why nad I langage. Sl. the for; A. hir for; Th. here. 138. Th. toke. A. Chosen of god, whome Joseph gaf (!) to wyve. 139. Th. Sl. childyng; A. bare Cryste. Th. Sl. _om._ greet. 140. Th. And of our manly figure the; Sl. And of oure mar (!) figure; A. And of Ihesus manhode truwe.

* * * * *

XI. TO MY SOVERAIN LADY.

I have non English convenient and digne Myn hertes hele, lady, thee with t'honoure, Ivorie clene; therfore I wol resigne In-to thyn hand, til thou list socoure To help my making bothe florisshe and floure; 5 Than shulde I shewe, in love how I brende, In songes making, thy name to commende.

For if I coude before thyn excellence Singen in love, I wolde, what I fele, And ever standen, lady, in thy presence, 10 To shewe in open how I love you wele; And sith, although your herte be mad of stele, To you, withoute any disseveraunce, _J'ay en vous toute ma fiaunce_.

Wher might I love ever better besette 15 Than in this lilie, lyking to beholde? The lace of love, the bond so wel thou knette, That I may see thee or myn herte colde, And or I passe out of my dayes olde, Tofore singing evermore utterly-- 20 'Your eyën two wol slee me sodainly.'

For love I langour, blissed be such seknesse, Sith it is for you, my hertely suffisaunce; I can not elles saye, in my distresse, So fair oon hath myn herte in governaunce; 25 And after that I +ginne on esperaunce With feble entune, though it thyn herte perce, Yet for thy sake this lettre I do reherce.

God wot, on musike I can not, but I gesse, (Alas! why so?) that I might say or singe, 30 So love I you, myn own soverain maistresse, And ever shal, withouten départinge. Mirrour of beautè, for you out shuld I ringe, In rémembraunce eke of your eyen clere, Thus fer from you, my soverain lady dere! 35

So wolde god your love wold me slo, Sith, for your sake, I singe day by day; Herte, why nilt thou [never] breke a-two, Sith with my lady dwellen I ne may? Thus many a roundel and many a virelay 40 In fresshe Englisshe, whan I me layser finde, I do recorde, on you to have minde!

Now, lady myn! sith I you love and drede, And you unchaunged finde, in o degree, Whos grace ne may flye fro your womanhede, 45 Disdayneth not for to remembre on me! Myn herte bledeth, for I may nat you see; And sith ye wot my mening désirous, _Pleurez pur moi, si vous plaist amorous!_

What marveyle is, though I in payne be? 50 I am departed from you, my soveraine; Fortune, alas! _dont vient la destenee_, That in no wyse I can ne may attayne To see the beautè of your eyën twayne. Wherfore I say, for tristesse doth me grame, 55 _Tant me fait mal departir de ma dame!_

Why nere my wisshing brought to suche esploit That I might say, for joye of your presence, '_Ore a man cuer ce quil veuilloit,_ _Ore a man cuer_ the highest excellence 60 That ever had wight;' and sith myn advertence Is in you, reweth on my paynes smerte, I am so sore wounded to the herte.

To live wel mery, two lovers were y-fere, So may I say withouten any blame; 65 If any man [per cas] to wilde were, I coude him [sonë] teche to be tame; Let him go love, and see wher it be game! For I am brydled unto sobernesse For her, that is of women cheef princesse. 70

But ever, whan thought shulde my herte embrace, Than unto me is beste remedye, Whan I loke on your goodly fresshe face; So mery a mirrour coude I never espye; And, if I coude, I wolde it magnifye. 75 For never non was [here] so faire y-founde, To reken hem al, and also Rosamounde.

And fynally, with mouthe and wil present Of double eye, withoute repentaunce, Myn herte I yeve you, lady, in this entent, 80 That ye shal hoolly therof have governaunce; Taking my leve with hertes obeysaunce, '_Salve, regina!_' singing laste of al, To be our helpe, whan we to thee cal!

Al our lovë is but ydelnesse 85 Save your aloon; who might therto attayne? Who-so wol have a name of gentillesse, I counsayle him in love that he not fayne. Thou swete lady! refut in every payne, Whos [pitous] mercy most to me avayleth 90 To gye by grace, whan that fortune fayleth.

Nought may be told, withouten any fable, Your high renome, your womanly beautè; Your governaunce, to al worship able, Putteth every herte in ese in his degree. 95 O violet, _O flour desiree_, Sith I am for you so amorous, _Estreynez moy_, [lady,] _de cuer joyous_!

With fervent herte my brest hath broste on fyre; _L'ardant espoir que mon cuer poynt, est mort,_ 100 _D'avoir l'amour de celle que je desyre_, I mene you, swete, most plesaunt of port, _Et je sai bien que ceo n'est pas mon tort_ That for you singe, so as I may, for mone For your departing; alone I live, alone. 105

Though I mighte, I wolde non other chese; In your servyce, I wolde be founden sad; Therfore I love no labour that ye lese, Whan, in longing, sorest ye be stad; Loke up, ye lovers [alle], and be right glad 110 Ayeines sëynt Valentynes day, For I have chose that never forsake I may!

_Explicit._

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); _I note rejected spellings_. 1. none englysshe. 2. heale; the; to honour. 3. cleane. 4. thyne hande; socoure. 5. helpe; flour. 6. howe. 8. thyne. 11. howe. 12. made. 13. withouten; disceueraunce. 14. tout. 15. Where; beset. 17. bonde; knyt. 18. se the; myne. 22. sicknesse. 23. Sythe. 24. els say. 25. fayre one; myne. 26. begynne; _read_ ginne.

27. thyne. 28. letter. 30. wote. 31. owne; maistres. 32. without. 35. ferre. 36. wolde (_twice_). 37. Sythe. 38. nylte; _I supply_ never; breake. 39. Sythe; dwel. 43. Nowe; myne sithe. 44. euer fynde (_om._ euer). 45. Whose. 47. Myne; se. 48. sithe; wotte; meanyng. 49. Plures; moy. 52. destenie. 53. canne. 54. se. 55. dothe. 56. male. 58. ioye. 61. sithe myne.

66. _Short line; I insert_ per cas. 67. _Short line; I insert_ sone. for to; _I omit_ for. 68. Lette; se where. 70. chefe. 71. my hert shuld. 72. best remedy. 74. espy. 76. none; _I insert_ here. 79. without. 81. holy. 82. leaue. 84. the. 86. your loue alone; _om._ loue. 89. refute. 90. Whose; _I insert_ pitous. 92. tolde. 95. ease. 96. floure.

97. Sythe; amerous. 98. Estreynes; _I insert_ lady _to fill out the line_. 99. brost. 102. meane; porte. 103. say. 106. myght; none. 107. sadde. 109. stadde. 110. _I supply_ alle; gladde. 111. Ayenst saynt. 112. chese (_read_ chose).

* * * * *

XII. BALLAD OF GOOD COUNSEL.

Consider wel, with every circumstaunce, Of what estat so-ever that thou be-- Riche, strong, or mighty of puissaunce, Prudent or wyse, discrete or avisee, The doom of folke in soth thou mayst nat flee; 5 What-ever that thou do, trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

For in thy port or in thyn apparayle If thou be clad or honestly be-seyn, Anon the people, of malice, wol nat fayle, 10 Without advyce or reson, for to sayn That thyn array is mad and wrought in vayn; What! suffre hem spekë!--and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

Thou wilt to kinges be equipolent, 15 With gretë lordes even and peregal; And, if thou be to-torn and al to-rent, Than wol they say, and jangle over-al, Thou art a slogard, that never thryvë shal; Yet suffre hem spekë!--and trust right wel this, 20 A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

If thou be fayr, excelling of beautee, Than wol they say, that thou art amorous; If thou be foul and ugly on to see, They wol afferme that thou art vicious, 25 The peple of langage is so dispitous; Suffre hem spekë, and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

And if it fallë that thou take a wyf, [Than] they wol falsly say, in hir entent, 30 That thou art lykly ever to live in stryf, Voyd of al rest, without alegëment; Wyves be maistres, this is hir jugëment; Yet suffre hem spekë--and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis. 35

And if it so be that, of parfitnesse, Thou hast avowed to live in chastitee, Thán wol folk of thy persone expresse Say thou art impotent t'engendre in thy degree; And thus, whether thou be chast or deslavee, 40 Suffre hem spekë--and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wel alway deme amis.

And if that thou be fat or corpulent, Than wol they say that thou art a glotoun, A devourour, or ellës vinolent; 45 If thou be lene or megre of fassioun, Cal thee a nigard, in hir opinioun; Yet suffre hem spekë--and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

If thou be richë, som wol yeve thee laud, 50 And say, it cometh of prudent governaunce; And som wol sayen, that it cometh of fraud, Outher by sleight, or by fals chevisaunce; To say the worst, folk have so gret plesaunce; Yet suffre hem sayë--and trust right wel this, 55 A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

If thou be sad or sobre of countenaunce, Men wol say--thou thinkest som tresoun; And if [that] thou be glad of daliaunce, Men wol deme it dissolucioun, 60 And calle thy fair speche, adulacioun; Yet let hem spekë--and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

Who that is holy by perfeccioun, Men, of malyce, wol calle him ipocryte; 65 And who is mery, of clene entencioun, Men say, in ryot he doth him delyte; Som mourne in blak; som laughe in clothes whyte; What! suffre them spekë--and trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis. 70

Honest array, men deme, +is pompe and pryde, And who goth poore, men calle him a wastour; And who goth [mene], men marke him on every syde, And saye that he is a spye or a gylour; Who wasteth, men seyn [that] he hath tresour; 75 Wherfore conclude, and trust [right] wel this, A wikked tonge wil alway deme amis.

Who speketh mochë, men calle him prudent; And who debateth, men say, he is hardy; And who saith litel with gret sentiment, 80 Som men yet wol edwyte him of foly; Trouth is put down, and up goth flatery; And who list plainly know the cause of this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

For though a man were al-so pacient 85 As was David, through his humilitee, Or with Salamon in wysdom as prudent, Or in knighthode egal with Josuë, Or manly proved as Judas Machabee, Yet, for al that--trust right wel this, 90 A wicked tonge wol alway deme amis.

And though a man hadde the high prowesse Of worthy Hector, Troyes champioun, The love of Troilus or the kindenesse, Or of Cesar the famous high renoun, 95 With Alisaundres dominacioun, Yet, for al that--trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

And though a man of high or low degree Of Tullius hadde the sugred eloquence, 100 Or of Senek the greet moralitee, Or of Catoun the foresight or prudence, Conquest of Charles, Arthurs magnificence, Yet, for al that--trust right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis. 105

Touching of women the parfit innocence, Thogh they had of Hestre the mekenes, Or of Griseldes [the] humble pacience, Or of Judith the proved stablenes, Or Policenes virginal clennes, 110 Yit dar I say and truste right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

The wyfly trouthë of Penelope, Though they it hadde in hir possessioun, Eleynes beautè, the kindnes of Medee, 115 The love unfeyned of Marcia Catoun, Or of Alcest the trewe affeccioun, Yit dar I say and truste right wel this, A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

Than sith it is, that no man may eschewe 120 The swerde of tonge, but it wol kerve and byte, Ful hard it is, a man for to remewe Out of hir daunger, so they hem delyte To hindre or slaundre, and also to bakbyte; For [this] hir study fynally it is 125 And hir plesaunce, alwey to deme amis.

Most noble princes, cherisshers of vertue, Remembreth you of high discrecioun, The first vertue, most plesing to Jesu, (By the wryting and sentence of Catoun), 130 Is a good tonge, in his opinioun; Chastyse the révers, and of wysdom do this, Withdraw your hering from al that deme amis.

_From_ Th. (Thynne's edition, 1532); _collated with_ Ff. (MS. Ff. 1. 6, Camb. Univ. Library). _Another copy in_ H. (Harl. 2251). 1. H. with; Ff. wiht; Th. _om._ 2. Ff. H. estat; Th. estate. Th. _om._ that. 3. Th. stronge. 4. Ff. avisee; H. avice; Th. besy. 5. Th. Ff. dome; H. doome. Th. sothe. H. mayst; Th. Ff. may. Th. Ff. flye; H. flee. 6. H. that; _rest om._ Ff. H. do; Th. doste. Th. _om._ right. 7. H. Ff. deme; Th. say. 8. Ff. port; Th. porte. Th. thyne. 9. _All_ cladde. Ff. H. or; Th. and. Ff. beseyn; Th. be sayne. 10. Ff. Anon; Th. Anone (_and so in other places I correct the spelling by the_ MSS.). 12. _All_ made. 13. Th. H. _om._ right. 14. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 15. Ff. H. wylt; Th. wolde. Ff. H. equipolent; Th. equiuolent. 16. Ff. H. grete; Th. great. 17. Ff. to-torn; Th. H. torn. 19. Ff. H. Thou; Th. That thou. 20. Th. H. _om._ right. 21. Ff. H. deme; Th. say.

22-35. _So in_ H.; Th. Ff. _transpose_ ll. 21-28 _and_ 29-35. Th. fayre and; Ff. H. _om._ and. H. excellyng; Ff. Th. excellent. 23. Ff. H. Than; Th. Yet. _All_ amerous. 24. _All_ foule. 26. Ff. H. peple of; Th. peoples. 27. _So_ Ff.; Th. H. Suffre al their speche and truste (H. deme) wel this. 28. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 29. Ff. And yif hit falle; Th. If it befal. 30. _Insert_ Than; _see_ l. 23. 31. Ff. Thou art euer lykkely to lyue in stryve. 32. Ff. alleggement. 33. Ff. H. be maistres; Th. hem maystren. 34. _So_ Ff.; Th. suffren their speche; _om._ right. 35. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 36. H. And if; Ff. And yif; Th. If. H. it; Th. Ff. _om._ Th. that thou; Ff. H. _om._ thou. 37. Ff. H. Thou hast; Th. Haue. 39. Ff. H. Say; Th. That. Th. tengendre; Ff. to gendre. 40. Ff. Th. chaste. Ff. dyslave (_better_ deslavee); Th. delauie. 41. Th. H. _om._ right. 42. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 43. Th. _om._ And. 44. Th. H. _om._ that. 45. Th. H. deuourer; Ff. devowrer (_better_ devourour). 46. Ff. H. lene or megre; Th. megre or leane. 47. Ff. H. her; Th. H. their. 48. Th. H. _om._ right. 49. Ff. H. deme; Th. say.

50. _All_ the. Th. laude; Ff. H. lawde. 52. Ff. Th. say; H. sayne. H. that; Th. Ff. _om._ 53. Ff. Outher; Th. H. Or. 55. Th. What; Ff. H. Yit. Ff. Th. say. Th. H. _om._ right. 56. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 57. _All_ sadde. 58. Ff. tresone; Th. H. treason. 59. _I supply_ that. 60. Ff. it is; Th. H. _om._ is. 61. Th. Callyng; Ff. H. And calle. Th. _om._ thy. 62. Th. H. _om._ right. 63. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 64. Ff. H. Who; Th. And who. 65. Th. him an; Ff. H. _om._ an. 66. Th. who that; Ff. H. _om._ that. 69. Ff. speke; Th. say. Th. H. _om._ right. 70. Ff. H. deme; Th. say. 71-77. _In_ H. _only_. 71. H. in; _read_ is. 72. H. vastour. 73. _I insert_ mene; _see note_. 75. H. wastith; _I insert_ that. 76. H. coclude(!); H. _om._ right.

78. Ff. H. men calle him; Th. is holden. 79. Th. And who; Ff. H. Who that. Th. H. say that; Ff. _om._ that. 80. Th. who that; Ff. H. _om._ that. 81. Th. men yet; Ff. folke. Ff. H. edwyte; Th. wyte. 82. Ff. H. vp; Th. nowe. 83. H. who; Ff. ho (= who); Th. who that. Ff. H. cause; Th. trouth. 84. _So_ H. Ff.; Th. It is a wicked tonge th_a_t alway saythe amys. 85. Ff. also; Th. H. as. 86. Th. _om._ his. 87. H. wisdom; Th. wisedome; Ff. wysdome. 88. Ff. to; Th. H. with. 91. _So_ Ff. H.; Th. Some wycked tonge of hym wol say amys. 92. Ff. _om._ a. _All_ had. Ff. H. _om._ high. 94. Ff. H. kyndenes; Th. kyndnesse. 96. Th. Wyth al; Ff. H. _om._ al. 98. _So_ Ff.; Th. Some wycked tonge of hym wol say amys. 99. Ff. H. And; Th. Or. 101. H. Senek; Ff. Senec; Th. Seneca. Th. great; Ff. H. _om._ 102. Ff. or prudence; Th. H. and prouidence. 103. Th. The conquest; Ff. _om._ The. Ff. Arthurs; Th. H. Arturs. 105. _See note to_ 96.

106-112. _Not in_ Thynne; _from_ Ff. H. 106. H. of; Ff. to. 108. Ff. grecildes; H. Gresieldis; _I supply_ the. 110. H. Polycenes; Ff. Penilops. 113. H. wyfly; Th. wyfely; Ff. wylfull_e_ (!). Th. H. trouth; Ff. trowth; _read_ trouthe. 114. Th. had; Ff. H. hadde. Th. her; Ff. thaire; H. theyr. 115. H. Eleynes; Ff. Eleyons; Th. Holynesse (_for_ Heleynes). Th. kyndenesse; Ff. kyndnes. 116. Ff. H. loue; Th. lyfe (!). Th. Mertia; Ff. H. Marcia. Th. Caton; Ff. H. and catou_n_. 117. Ff. H. Alcestys (_om._ the). 119. _So_ Ff.; Th. A wycked tonge wol say of her amys. 120. Ff. suyth; H. sith; Th. sythen. H. it is; Ff. it; Th. it is so (_om._ that). 121. Ff. wyll (= wol); H. wil; Th. _om._ 122. Ff. H. _om._ for. 123. H. hir; Ff. ar; Th. theyr. Ff. so them hem delyte; Th. him for to aquyte. 124. Ff. Tho (_for_ To) hindre sclau_n_der, and also to bacbyte; Th. Wo to the tonges that hem so delyte. 125. Ff. For thayre study fynaly it ys; Th. To hynder or sclaunder, and set theyr study in this (cf. l. 124). 126. Th. And theyr pleasaunces to do and say amis; H. And theyr plesaunce alwey to deme amys; Ff. _has (as usual)_ A wicked tonge wol alway deme amis. 127. Ff. princesse; Th. princes. 129. Th. and most; Ff. H. _om._ and. Ff. plesing; Th. pleasyng.

132. H. revers; Th. reuerse; Ff. reu_er_ce. H. wisdom; Th. Ff. wysdome. 133. H. Voydeth (_for_ Withdraw). Ff. deme; Th. saine.

* * * * *

XIII. BEWARE OF DOUBLENESS.

(BALADE MADE BY LYDGATE.)

This world is ful of variaunce In every thing, who taketh hede, That faith and trust, and al constaunce, Exyled ben, this is no drede; And, save only in womanhede, 5 I can [nat] see no sikernesse; But for al that, yet, as I rede, Be-war alway of doublenesse.

Also these fresshe somer-floures Whyte and rede, blewe and grene, 10 Ben sodainly, with winter-shoures, Mad feinte and fade, withoute wene; That trust is non, as ye may seen, In no-thing, nor no stedfastnesse, Except in women, thus I mene; 15 Yet ay be-war of doublenesse.

The croked mone, this is no tale, Som whyle is shene and bright of hewe, And after that ful derk and pale, And every moneth chaungeth newe; 20 That, who the verray sothe knewe, Al thing is bilt on brotelnesse, Save that these women ay be trewe; Yet ay be-war of doublenesse.

The lusty fresshe somers day, 25 And Phebus with his bemes clere, Towardes night, they drawe away, And no lenger liste appere; That, in this present lyf now here Nothing abit in his fairnesse, 30 Save women ay be founde intere And devoid of doublenesse.

The see eke, with his sterne wawes, Ech day floweth newe again, And, by concours of his lawes, 35 The ebbe foloweth, in certain; After gret drought ther comth a rain, That farewel here al stabelnesse, Save that women be hole and plain; Yet ay be-war of doublenesse. 40

Fortunes wheel goth round aboute A thousand tymes, day and night: Whos cours standeth ever in doute For to transmew; she is so light. For which adverteth in your sight 45 Th'untrust of worldly fikelnesse, Save women, which of kindly right Ne have no tache of doublenesse.

What man may the wind restraine Or holde a snake by the tail, 50 Or a sliper eel constraine That it nil voide, withouten fail; Or who can dryve so a nail To make sure new-fangelnesse, Save women, that can gye hir sail 55 To rowe hir boot with doublenesse.

At every haven they can aryve Wher-as they wote is good passage; Of innocence, they can not stryve With wawes nor no rokkes rage; 60 So happy is hir lodemanage, With nelde and stoon hir cours to dresse, That Salamon was not so sage To find in hem no doublenesse.

Therfor who-so hem accuse 65 Of any double entencioun, To speke, rowne, other to muse, To pinche at hir condicioun; Al is but fals collusioun, I dar right wel the sothe expresse; 70 They have no better proteccioun But shroude hem under doublenesse.

So wel fortúned is hir chaunce The dys to turnen up-so-doun, With sys and sink they can avaunce, 75 And than, by revolucioun, They sette a fel conclusioun Of ambes as, in sothfastnesse; Though clerkes make mencioun Hir kind is fret with doublenesse. 80

Sampsoun had experience That women were ful trewe founde, Whan Dalida, of innocence, With sheres gan his heer to rounde; To speke also of Rosamounde 85 And Cleopatras feithfulnesse, The stories plainly wil confounde Men that apeche hir doublenesse.

Sengle thing ne is not preised, Nor oo-fold is of no renoun; 90 In balaunce whan they be peised, For lakke of weght they be bore doun; And for this cause of just resoun, These women alle, of rightwisnesse, Of chois and free eleccioun 95 Most love eschaunge and doublenesse.

LENVOY.

O ye women, which been enclyned, By influence of your nature, To been as pure as gold y-fyned In your trouth for to endure, 100 Arm your-self in strong armure Lest men assaile your sikernesse: Set on your brest, your-self t'assure, A mighty sheld of doublenesse.

1. _From_ F. (Fairfax 16); _collated with_ Ed. (ed. 1561). _Also in_ A. (Ashmole 59), _in which it is much altered; other copies in_ Ha. (Harl. 7578), _and_ Ad. (Addit. 16165). 2. F. whoo. 6. _I supply_ nat. 9. F. A. these; Ed. that. 12. F. feynt; Ha. Ed. feinte. 13. F. Ed. sene. 18. F. A. Ad. is shene; Ed. ishene. 21. F. A. who so; Ha. Ad. Ed. who. 23. Ad. these; _rest om._

28. Ha. Ad. no; F. Ed. non. 29. F. So; _rest_ That. 30. F. abytte; Ed. abieth; Ad. abydeth. 32. _In the margin of_ F. Ad.--Per Antifrasim. 36. F. Ad. Ha. foloweth; Ed. _repeats_ floweth _from_ l. 34. A. Soone affter that comthe thebbe certeyne. 38. F. Ha. farewel al her; Ed. Ad. farewel here al. 48. F. Ad. Ha. haue; Ed. hath. F. tachche; Ed. teche. 51. F. slepur; Ha. sleper; Ed. Ad. slipper. 52. A. nyl; Ad. nil; Ha. wol; F. wil; Ed. will. 53. A. dryve so depe a. 54. Ed. suere. 55, 56. Ad. hir; Ha. F. her; Ed. their.

61. F. happe; Ha. Ed. happy. F. her (= hir); Ed. their. 62. F. nelde; Ed. Ha. nedle. F. Ha. her; Ed. their. 64. F. Ha. hem; Ed. them. 65. F. Wherfor; Ed. Ha. Ad. Therefore. MSS. hem; Ed. them. 67. Ed. rowme (!). 68. F. hyr; Ad. hir; Ha. her; Ed. their. 69. A. Ad. nys (_for_ is). 71. Ed. better; F. bette; Ha. Ad. bet. 72. MSS. hem; Ed. them. 73. Ad. Ed. their. 74. F. Ed. turne; Ad. Ha. turnen. 78. F. Ambes ase; Ad. Ha. aumbes as; Ed. lombes, as (!) 82. F. weren; Ed. A. were. MSS. founde; Ed. ifound. 84. A. heres; Ad. here; Ed. heere; F. hede. 87. F. Ad. Ed. The; A. Hir. 88. MSS. hir, her; Ed. their. 90. F. oo folde; A. oone folde; Ed. ofolde.

92. F. A. Ad. weght; Ha. wight; Ed. waighte. A. borne. 96. A. Ad. Haue stuffed hem with doublenesse. 97. A. that (_for_ which). 100. A. In alle youre touches for. Ad. trouthe for tendure. 101. _For_ Arm _read_ Armeth? 102. Ha. assaye. 103. F. A. Ad. tassure; Ed. Ha. to assure. 104. F. Ed. shelde; A. sheelde.

* * * * *

XIV. A BALADE: WARNING MEN TO BEWARE OF DECEITFUL WOMEN.

Loke wel aboute, ye that lovers be; Lat nat your lustes lede you to dotage; Be nat enamoured on al thing that ye see. Sampson the fort, and Salamon the sage Deceived were, for al hir gret corage; 5 Men deme hit is right as they see at y; Bewar therfore; the blinde et many a fly.

I mene, in women, for al hir cheres queinte, Trust nat to moche; hir trouthë is but geson; The fairest outward ful wel can they peinte, 10 Hir stedfastnes endureth but a seson; For they feyn frendlines and worchen treson. And for they be chaungeáble naturally, Bewar therfore; the blinde et many a fly.

Though al the world do his besy cure 15 To make women stonde in stablenes, Hit may nat be, hit is agayn nature; The world is do whan they lak doublenes; For they can laughe and love nat; this is expres. To trust in hem, hit is but fantasy; 20 Bewar therfore; the blind et many a fly.

What wight on-lyve trusteth in hir cheres Shal haue at last his guerdon and his mede; They can shave nerer then rasóurs or sheres; Al is nat gold that shyneth! Men, take hede; 25 Hir galle is hid under a sugred wede. Hit is ful hard hir fantasy t'aspy; Bewar therfore; the blinde et many a fly.

Women, of kinde, have condicions three; The first is, that they be fulle of deceit; 30 To spinne also hit is hir propertee; And women have a wonderful conceit, They wepen ofte, and al is but a sleight, And whan they list, the tere is in the y; Bewar therfore; the blinde et many a fly. 35

What thing than eyr is lighter and meveable? The light, men say, that passeth in a throw; Al if the light be nat so variable As is the wind that every wey [can] blow; And yet, of reson, som men deme and trow 40 Women be lightest of hir company; Bewar therfore; the blind et many a fly.

In short to say, though al the erth so wan Were parchëmyn smothe, whyte and scribable, And the gret see, cleped the occian, 45 Were torned in inke, blakker then is sable, Ech stik a penne, ech man a scriveyn able, They coud nat wryte wommannes traitory; Bewar therfore; the blinde et many a fly.

_From_ Trin. (Trin. Coll. Cam. R. 3. 19), _printed in_ Ed. (ed. 1561); T. (Trin. Coll. O. 9. 38); H. (Harl. 2251). 1. Trin. welle. T. abowte; Trin. about. 2. Trin. leede. 3. Trin. se. 4. T. H. Salamon; Trin. Salomon. 5. T. her_e_ (_read_ hir); Trin. H. theyr (_and elsewhere_). 6. _So_ T.; Trin. H. hit right that they se with. T. eye; Trin. ey; H. ye; (_read_ y). 7. T. ette, _alt. to_ ettyth; Trin. H. eteth (_read_ et, _and so elsewhere_). 8. H. T. in; Trin. of. Trin. wemen; queynt. 9. Trin. H. hem nat (T. _om._ hem). Trin. trowth; geason (T. geson). 10. T. full_e_; Trin. H. _om._ Trin. peynt. 12. Trin. feyne. 13. T. be; Trin. ar; H. are. Trin. chaungeabylle. 15-28. _So_ T. H.; Trin. _transposes_ 15-21 _and_ 22-28. 16. Trin. wemen stond; stabylnes. 17. T. H. may; Trin. wolle. 18. Trin. doubylnes. 19. Trin. lawgh; expresse. H. _om._ nat. 20. H. T. in; Trin. on. Trin. theym.

22. T. yn; Trin. on. Trin. cherys. 24. T. They; Trin. For wemen. 25. Trin. shynyth. 26. Trin. sugryd. 27. T. harde; Trin. H. queynt. Trin. to aspy. 29. T. _has the note_: Fallere flere nere tria sunt hec in muliere. Trin. thre. 30. T. that; Trin. H. _om._ 31. T. hyt; Trin. _om._ T. properte; Trin. p_ro_purte. 32. H. haue; T. hath; Trin. _om._ Trin. conseyte. 33. Trin. H. For they; T. _om._ For. T. wepyth (_read_ wepen); Trin. wepe. T. H. but; Trin. _om._ H. a sleight; T. deceyt; Trin. asteyte; Ed. a sleite. 34. Trin. teere; ey. 36-42. _In_ T. _only_. 37. T. passyth. 38. T. All yff; waryabylle. 39. T. wynde; ys blow (_alt. to_ blowth; _read_ can blow). 40. T. yut; summen. 41. T. ther (_for_ hir). 43. T. schorte; Trin. sothe. Trin. erthe; wanne. 44. Trin. parchemyne; scrybabylle. 45. T. H. that clepyd is; Trin. that callyd ys (_read_ cleped). H. _om._ the. Trin. occiane. 46. T. yn; Trin. into; H. to. T. H. is; Trin. _om._ 47. T. H. Eche; Trin. Euery. Trin. yche; abylle. H. scryven; T. Trin. scriuener. 48. T. They cowde not; Trin. Nat cowde then (!). T. wymmenys; Trin. womans; H. wommans. T. treytorye; Trin. H. trechery.

* * * * *

XV. THREE SAYINGS.

(A). A SAYING OF DAN JOHN.

Ther beth four thinges that maketh a man a fool, Hónour first putteth him in outrage, And alder-next solitarie and sool; The second is unweldy croked age; Women also bring men in dotage; 5 And mighty wyne, in many dyvers wyse, Distempreth folk which [that] ben holden wyse.

(B). YET OF THE SAME.

Ther beth four thinges causing gret folye, Honour first, and [than] unweldy age; Women and wyne, I dar eek specifye, Make wyse men [to] fallen in dotage; Wherfore, by counseil of philosophers sage, 5 In gret honour, lerne this of me, With thyn estat have [eek] humilitee.

(C). BALADE DE BON CONSAIL.

If it befalle, that god thee list visyte With any tourment or adversitee, Thank first the lord; and [than], thyself to quyte, Upon suffrauncë and humilitee Found thou thy quarrel, what-ever that it be; 5 Mak thy defence (and thou shall have no losse) The rémembraunce of Crist and of his crosse.

A. _From_ Stowe (ed. 1561). 1. bethe foure; foole. 3. soole. 7. Distempren (!); folke whiche; _supply_ that; bene.

B. _From the same._ 1. bene (_read_ beth, _as above_) foure. 2. _I supply_ than; vnwildy. 3. dare eke specify. 4. _I supply_ to. 6. learne. 7. thine estate; _I supply_ eek.

C. _From the same._ 1. befall; the. 2. aduersite. 3. Thanke; lorde; _I supply_ than; selfe. 4. humilite. 5. Founde; quarel. 6. Make.

* * * * *

XVI. LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCY.

TRANSLATED OUT OF FRENCH BY SIR RICHARD ROS.

Half in a dreme, not fully wel awaked, The golden sleep me wrapped under his wing; Yet nat for-thy I roos, and wel nigh naked, Al sodaynly my-selve rémembring Of a matér, leving al other thing 5 Which I shold do, with-outen more delay, For hem to whom I durst nat disobey.

My charge was this, to translate by and by, (Al thing forgive), as part of my penaunce, A book called Belle Dame sans Mercy 10 Which mayster Aleyn made of rémembraunce, Cheef secretarie with the king of Fraunce. And ther-upon a whyle I stood musing, And in my-self gretly imagening

What wyse I shuld performe the sayd processe, 15 Considering by good avysement Myn unconning and my gret simplenesse, And ayenward the strait commaundement Which that I had; and thus, in myn entent, I was vexed and tourned up and doun; 20 And yet at last, as in conclusioun,

I cast my clothes on, and went my way, This foresayd charge having in rémembraunce, Til I cam to a lusty green valey Ful of floures, to see, a gret plesaunce; 25 And so bolded, with their benygn suffraunce That rede this book, touching this sayd matere, Thus I began, if it plese you to here.

Nat long ago, ryding an esy paas, I fel in thought, of joy ful desperate 30 With greet disese and payne, so that I was Of al lovers the most unfortunate, Sith by his dart most cruel, ful of hate, The deeth hath take my lady and maistresse, And left me sole, thus discomfit and mate, 35 Sore languisshing, and in way of distresse.

Than sayd I thus, 'it falleth me to cesse Eyther to ryme or ditees for to make, And I, surely, to make a ful promesse To laugh no more, but wepe in clothes blake. 40 My joyful tyme, alas! now is it slake, For in my-self I fele no maner ese; Let it be written, such fortune I take, Which neither me, nor non other doth plese.

If it were so, my wil or myn entent 45 Constrayned were a joyful thing to wryte, Myn pen coud never have knowlege what it ment; To speke therof my tonge hath no delyte. And with my mouth if I laugh moche or lyte, Myn eyen shold make a countenaunce untrewe; 50 My hert also wold have therof despyte, The weping teres have so large issewe.

These seke lovers, I leve that to hem longes, Which lede their lyf in hope of alegeaunce, That is to say, to make balades and songes, 55 Every of hem, as they fele their grevaunce. For she that was my joy and my plesaunce, Whos soule I pray god of his mercy save, She hath my wil, myn hertes ordinaunce, Which lyeth here, within this tombe y-grave. 60

Fro this tyme forth, tyme is to hold my pees; It werieth me this mater for to trete; Let other lovers put hem-self in prees; Their seson is, my tyme is now forgete. Fortune by strength the forcer hath unshet 65 Wherin was sperd al my worldly richesse, And al the goodes which that I have gete In my best tyme of youthe and lustinesse.

Love hath me kept under his governaunce; If I misdid, god graunt me forgifnesse! 70 If I did wel, yet felte I no plesaunce; It caused neither joy nor hevinesse. For whan she dyed, that was my good maistresse, Al my welfare than made the same purchas; The deeth hath set my boundes, of witnes, 75 Which for no-thing myn hert shal never pas.'

In this gret thought, sore troubled in my mynde, Aloon thus rood I al the morow-tyde, Til at the last it happed me to fynde The place wherin I cast me to abyde 80 Whan that I had no further for to ryde. And as I went my logging to purvey, Right sone I herde, but litel me besyde, In a gardeyn, wher minstrels gan to play.

With that anon I went me bakker-more; 85 My-self and I, me thought, we were y-now; But twayn that were my frendes here-before Had me espyed, and yet I wot nat how. They come for me; awayward I me drow, Somwhat by force, somwhat by their request, 90 That in no wyse I coud my-self rescow, But nede I must come in, and see the feest.

At my coming, the ladies everichoon Bad me welcome, god wot, right gentilly, And made me chere, everich by oon and oon, 95 A gret del better than I was worthy; And, of their grace, shewed me gret curtesy With good disport, bicause I shuld nat mourne. That day I bood stille in their company, Which was to me a gracious sojourne. 100

The bordes were spred in right litel space; The ladies sat, ech as hem semed best. Were non that did servyce within that place But chosen men, right of the goodliest: And som ther were, peravénture most fresshest, 105 That sawe their juges, sitting ful demure, Without semblaunt either to most or lest, Notwithstanding they had hem under cure.

Among al other, oon I gan espy Which in gret thought ful often com and went 110 As man that had ben ravished utterly, In his langage nat gretly diligent; His countenaunce he kept with greet tourment, But his desyr fer passed his resoun; For ever his eye went after his entent 115 Ful many a tyme, whan it was no sesoun.

To make good chere, right sore him-self he payned, And outwardly he fayned greet gladnesse; To singe also by force he was constrayned For no plesaunce, but very shamfastnesse; 120 For the complaynt of his most hevinesse Com to his voice alwey without request, Lyk as the sowne of birdes doth expresse Whan they sing loude, in frith or in forest.

Other ther were, that served in the hal, 125 But non lyk him, as after myn advyse; For he was pale, and somwhat lene with-al; His speche also trembled in fereful wyse; And ever aloon, but when he did servyse. Al blak he ware, and no devyce but playn. 130 Me thought by him, as my wit coud suffyse, His hert was no-thing in his own demeyn.

To feste hem al he did his diligence, And wel he couth, right as it semed me. But evermore, whan he was in presence, 135 His chere was don; it wold non other be. His scole-maister had suche auctoritè That, al the whyle he bood stille in the place, Speke coude he nat, but upon her beautè He loked stil, with right a pitous face. 140

With that, his heed he tourned at the last For to behold the ladies everichon; But ever in oon he set his ey stedfast On her, the which his thought was most upon. And of his eyen the shot I knew anon 145 Which federed was with right humble requestes. Than to my-self I sayd, 'By god aloon, Suche oon was I, or that I saw these gestes.'

Out of the prees he went ful esely To make stable his hevy countenaunce; 150 And, wit ye wel, he syghed tenderly For his sorowes and woful remembraunce. Than in him-self he made his ordinaunce, And forth-withal com to bringe in the mes; But, for to juge his most ruful semblaunce, 155 God wot, it was a pitous entremes!

After diner, anon they hem avaunced To daunce about, these folkes everichoon; And forth-withal this hevy lover daunced Somtyme with twayn, and somtyme but with oon. 160 Unto hem al his chere was after oon, Now here, now there, as fel by aventure; But ever among, he drew to her aloon Which he most dredde of living creature.

To myn advyse, good was his purveyaunce 165 Whan he her chase to his maistresse aloon, If that her hert were set to his plesaunce As moche as was her beauteous persone. For who that ever set his trust upon The réport of the eyen, withouten more, 170 He might be deed and graven under stoon Or ever he shulde his hertes ese restore.

In her fayled nothing, as I coud gesse, O wyse nor other, prevy nor apert; A garnison she was of al goodnesse 175 To make a frounter for a lovers hert; Right yong and fresshe, a woman ful covert; Assured wel her port and eke her chere, Wel at her ese, withouten wo or smert, Al underneth the standard of Daungere. 180

To see the feest, it weried me ful sore; For hevy joy doth sore the hert travayle. Out of the prees I me withdrew therfore, And set me down aloon, behynd a trayle Ful of leves, to see, a greet mervayle, 185 With grene withies y-bounden wonderly; The leves were so thik, withouten fayle, That thorough-out might no man me espy.

To this lady he com ful curteisly Whan he thought tyme to daunce with her a trace; 190 Sith in an herber made ful pleasauntly They rested hem, fro thens but litel space. Nigh hem were none, a certayn of compace, But only they, as fer as I coud see; And save the trayle, ther I had chose my place, 195 Ther was no more betwix hem tweyne and me.

I herd the lover syghing wonder sore; For ay the neer, the sorer it him sought. His inward payne he coud not kepe in store, Nor for to speke, so hardy was he nought. 200 His leche was neer, the gretter was his thought; He mused sore, to conquere his desyre; For no man may to more penaunce be brought Than, in his hete, to bringe him to the fyre.

The hert began to swel within his chest, 205 So sore strayned for anguish and for payne That al to peces almost it to-brest, Whan bothe at ones so sore it did constrayne; Desyr was bold, but shame it gan refrayne; That oon was large, the other was ful cloos; 210 No litel charge was layd on him, certayn, To kepe suche werre, and have so many foos.

Ful often-tymes to speke him-self he peyned, But shamfastnesse and drede sayd ever 'nay'; Yet at the last so sore he was constrayned, 215 Whan he ful long had put it in delay, To his lady right thus than gan he say With dredful voice, weping, half in a rage:-- 'For me was purveyd an unhappy day Whan I first had a sight of your visage! 220

I suffre payne, god wot, ful hoot brenning, To cause my deeth, al for my trew servyse; And I see wel, ye rekke therof nothing, Nor take no hede of it, in no kins wyse. But whan I speke after my best avyse, 225 Ye set it nought, but make ther-of a game; And though I sewe so greet an entrepryse, It peyreth not your worship nor your fame.

Alas! what shulde be to you prejudyce If that a man do love you faithfully 230 To your worship, eschewing every vyce? So am I yours, and wil be verily; I chalenge nought of right, and reson why, For I am hool submit to your servyse; Right as ye liste it be, right so wil I, 235 To bynde my-self, where I was in fraunchyse!

Though it be so, that I can nat deserve To have your grace, but alway live in drede, Yet suffre me you for to love and serve Without maugrè of your most goodlihede; 240 Both faith and trouth I give your womanhede, And my servyse, withoute ayein-calling. Love hath me bounde, withouten wage or mede, To be your man, and leve al other thing.'

Whan this lady had herd al this langage, 245 She yaf answere ful softe and demurely, Without chaunging of colour or corage, No-thing in haste, but mesurabelly:-- 'Me thinketh, sir, your thought is greet foly! Purpose ye not your labour for to cese? 250 For thinketh not, whyl that ye live and I, In this matére to set your hert in pees!'

_Lamant._ 'Ther may non make the pees, but only ye, Which ar the ground and cause of al this werre; For with your eyen the letters written be, 255 By which I am defyed and put a-fer. Your plesaunt look, my verray lode-sterre, Was made heraud of thilk same défyaunce Which utterly behight me to forbarre My faithful trust and al myn affyaunce.' 260

_La Dame._ 'To live in wo he hath gret fantasy And of his hert also hath slipper holde, That, only for beholding of an y, Can nat abyde in pees, as reson wolde! Other or me if ye list to beholde, 265 Our eyen are made to loke; why shuld we spare? I take no kepe, neither of yong nor olde; Who feleth smert, I counsayle him be ware!'

_Lam._ 'If it be so, oon hurte another sore, In his defaut that feleth the grevaunce, 270 Of very right a man may do no more; Yet reson wolde it were in remembraunce. And, sith Fortune not only, by her chaunce, Hath caused me to suffre al this payn, But your beautè, with al the circumstaunce, 275 Why list ye have me in so greet disdayn?'

_La D._ 'To your persone ne have I no disdayn, Nor ever had, trewly! ne nought wil have, Nor right gret love, nor hatred, in certayn; Nor your counsayl to know, so god me save! 280 If such beleve be in your mynde y-grave That litel thing may do you greet plesaunce, You to begyle, or make you for to rave, I wil nat cause no suche encomberaunce!'

_Lam._ 'What ever it be that me hath thus purchased, 285 Wening hath nat disceyved me, certayn, But fervent love so sore hath me y-chased That I, unware, am casten in your chayne; And sith so is, as Fortune list ordayne, Al my welfare is in your handes falle, 290 In eschewing of more mischévous payn; Who sonest dyeth, his care is leest of alle.'

_La D._ 'This sicknesse is right esy to endure, But fewe people it causeth for to dy; But what they mene, I know it very sure, 295 Of more comfort to draw the remedy. Such be there now, playning ful pitously, That fele, god wot, nat alther-grettest payne; And if so be, love hurt so grevously, Lesse harm it were, oon sorowful, than twayne!' 300

_Lam._ 'Alas, madame! if that it might you plese, Moche better were, by way of gentilnesse, Of one sory, to make twayn wel at ese, Than him to stroy that liveth in distresse! For my desyr is neither more nor lesse 305 But my servyce to do, for your plesaunce, In eschewing al maner doublenesse, To make two joyes in stede of oo grevaunce!'

_La D._ 'Of love I seke neither plesaunce nor ese, Nor greet desyr, nor right gret affyaunce; 310 Though ye be seke, it doth me nothing plese; Also, I take no hede to your plesaunce. Chese who-so wil, their hertes to avaunce, Free am I now, and free wil I endure; To be ruled by mannes governaunce 315 For erthely good, nay! that I you ensure!'

_Lam._ 'Love, which that joy and sorowe doth departe, Hath set the ladies out of al servage, And largëly doth graunt hem, for their parte, Lordship and rule of every maner age. 320 The poor servaunt nought hath of avauntage But what he may get only of purchace; And he that ones to love doth his homage, Ful often tyme dere bought is the rechace.'

_La D._ 'Ladies be nat so simple, thus I mene, 325 So dul of wit, so sotted of foly, That, for wordes which sayd ben of the splene, In fayre langage, paynted ful plesauntly, Which ye and mo holde scoles of dayly, To make hem of gret wonders to suppose; 330 But sone they can away their hedes wrye, And to fair speche lightly their eres close.'

_Lam._ 'Ther is no man that jangleth busily, And set his hert and al his mynd therfore, That by resoun may playne so pitously 335 As he that hath moche hevinesse in store. Whos heed is hool, and sayth that it is sore, His fayned chere is hard to kepe in mewe; But thought, which is unfayned evermore, The wordes preveth, as the workes sewe. 340

_La D._ 'Love is subtel, and hath a greet awayt, Sharp in worching, in gabbing greet plesaunce, And can him venge of suche as by disceyt Wold fele and knowe his secret governaunce; And maketh hem to obey his ordinaunce 345 By chereful wayes, as in hem is supposed; But whan they fallen in-to repentaunce, Than, in a rage, their counsail is disclosed.'

_Lam._ 'Sith for-as-moche as god and eke nature Hath +love avaunced to so hye degrè, 350 Moch sharper is the point, this am I sure, Yet greveth more the faute, wher-ever it be. Who hath no cold, of hete hath no deyntè, The toon for the tother asked is expresse; And of plesaunce knoweth non the certeyntè 355 But it be wonne with thought and hevinesse.'

_La D._ 'As for plesaunce, it is nat alway oon; That you is swete, I thinke it bitter payne. Ye may nat me constrayne, nor yet right non, After your lust, to love that is but vayne. 360 To chalenge love by right was never seyn, But herte assent, before bond and promyse; For strength nor force may not atteyne, certayn, A wil that stant enfeffed in fraunchyse!'

_Lam._ 'Right fayr lady, god mote I never plese, 365 If I seke other right, as in this case, But for to shewe you playnly my disese And your mercy to abyde, and eke your grace. If I purpose your honour to deface, Or ever did, god and fortune me shende! 370 And that I never rightwysly purchace Oon only joy, unto my lyves ende!'

_La D._ 'Ye and other, that swere suche othes faste, And so condempne and cursen to and fro, Ful sikerly, ye wene your othes laste 375 No lenger than the wordes ben ago! And god, and eke his sayntes, laughe also. In such swering ther is no stedfastnesse, And these wrecches, that have ful trust therto, After, they wepe and waylen in distresse.' 380

_Lam._ 'He hath no corage of a man, trewly, That secheth plesaunce, worship to despyse; Nor to be called forth is not worthy The erthe to touch the ayre in no-kins wyse. A trusty hert, a mouth without feyntyse, 385 These ben the strength of every man of name; And who that layth his faith for litel pryse, He leseth bothe his worship and his fame.'

_La D._ 'A currish herte, a mouth that is curteys, Ful wel ye wot, they be not according; 390 Yet feyned chere right sone may hem apeyse Where of malyce is set al their worching; Ful fals semblant they bere and trew mening; Their name, their fame, their tonges be but fayned; Worship in hem is put in forgetting, 395 Nought repented, nor in no wyse complayned.'

_Lam._ 'Who thinketh il, no good may him befal; God, of his grace, graunt ech man his desert! But, for his love, among your thoughtes al, As think upon my woful sorowes smert; 400 For of my payne, wheder your tender hert Of swete pitè be not therwith agreved, And if your grace to me were discovert, Than, by your mene, sone shulde I be releved.'

_La D._ 'A lightsom herte, a folly of plesaunce 405 Are moch better, the lesse whyl they abyde; They make you thinke, and bring you in a traunce; But that seknesse wil sone be remedyed. Respite your thought, and put al this asyde; Ful good disportes werieth men al-day; 410 To help nor hurt, my wil is not aplyed; Who troweth me not, I lete it passe away.'

_Lam._ 'Who hath a brid, a faucon, or a hound, That foloweth him, for love, in every place, He cherissheth him, and kepeth him ful sound; 415 Out of his sight he wil not him enchace. And I, that set my wittes, in this cace, On you alone, withouten any chaunge, Am put under, moch ferther out of grace, And lesse set by, than other that be straunge.' 420

_La D._ 'Though I make chere to every man aboute For my worship, and of myn own fraunchyse, To you I nil do so, withouten doute, In eschewing al maner prejudyse. For wit ye wel, love is so litel wyse, 425 And in beleve so lightly wil be brought, That he taketh al at his own devyse, Of thing, god wot, that serveth him of nought.'

_Lam._ 'If I, by love and by my trew servyse, Lese the good chere that straungers have alway, 430 Wherof shuld serve my trouth in any wise Lesse than to hem that come and go al-day, Which holde of you nothing, that is no nay? Also in you is lost, to my seming, Al curtesy, which of resoun wold say 435 That love for love were lawful deserving.'

_La D._ 'Curtesy is alyed wonder nere To Worship, which him loveth tenderly; And he wil nat be bounde, for no prayere, Nor for no gift, I say you verily, 440 But his good chere depart ful largely Where him lyketh, as his conceit wil fal; Guerdon constrayned, a gift don thankfully, These twayn may not accord, ne never shal.'

_Lam._ 'As for guerdon, I seke non in this cace; 445 For that desert, to me it is to hy; Wherfore I ask your pardon and your grace, Sith me behoveth deeth, or your mercy. To give the good where it wanteth, trewly, That were resoun and a curteys maner; 450 And to your own moch better were worthy Than to straungers, to shewe hem lovely chere.'

_La D._ 'What cal ye good? Fayn wolde I that I wist! That pleseth oon, another smerteth sore; But of his own to large is he that list 455 Give moche, and lese al his good fame therfore. Oon shulde nat make a graunt, litel ne more, But the request were right wel according; If worship be not kept and set before, Al that is left is but a litel thing.' 460

_Lam._ 'In-to this world was never formed non, Nor under heven crëature y-bore, Nor never shal, save only your persone, To whom your worship toucheth half so sore, But me, which have no seson, lesse ne more, 465 Of youth ne age, but still in your service; I have non eyen, no wit, nor mouth in store, But al be given to the same office.'

_La D._ 'A ful gret charge hath he, withouten fayle, That his worship kepeth in sikernesse; 470 But in daunger he setteth his travayle That feffeth it with others businesse. To him that longeth honour and noblesse, Upon non other shulde nat he awayte; For of his own so moche hath he the lesse 475 That of other moch folweth the conceyt.'

_Lam._ 'Your eyen hath set the print which that I fele Within my hert, that, where-so-ever I go, If I do thing that sowneth unto wele, Nedes must it come from you, and fro no mo. 480 Fortune wil thus, that I, for wele or wo, My lyf endure, your mercy abyding; And very right wil that I thinke also Of your worship, above al other thing.'

_La D._ 'To your worship see wel, for that is nede, 485 That ye spend nat your seson al in vayne; As touching myn, I rede you take no hede, By your foly to put your-self in payne. To overcome is good, and to restrayne An hert which is disceyved folily. 490 For worse it is to breke than bowe, certayn, And better bowe than fal to sodaynly!'

_Lam._ 'Now, fair lady, think, sith it first began That love hath set myn hert under his cure, I never might, ne truly I ne can 495 Non other serve, whyle I shal here endure; In most free wyse therof I make you sure, Which may not be withdrawe; this is no nay. I must abyde al maner aventure; For I may not put to, nor take away.' 500

_La D._ 'I holde it for no gift, in sothfastnesse, That oon offreth, where that it is forsake; For suche gift is abandoning expresse That with worship ayein may not be take. He hath an hert ful fel that list to make 505 A gift lightly, that put is in refuse; But he is wyse that such conceyt wil slake, So that him nede never to study ne muse.'

_Lam._ 'He shuld nat muse, that hath his service spent On her which is a lady honourable; 510 And if I spende my tyme to that entent, Yet at the leest I am not reprevable Of feyled hert; to thinke I am unable, Or me mistook whan I made this request, By which love hath, of entreprise notable, 515 So many hertes gotten by conquest.'

_La D._ 'If that ye list do after my counsayl, Secheth fairer, and of more higher fame, Whiche in servyce of love wil you prevayl After your thought, according to the same. 520 He hurteth both his worship and his name That folily for twayne him-self wil trouble; And he also leseth his after-game That surely can not sette his poyntes double.'

_Lam._ 'This your counsayl, by ought that I can see, 525 Is better sayd than don, to myn advyse; Though I beleve it not, forgive it me, Myn herte is suche, so hool without feyntyse, That it ne may give credence, in no wyse, To thing which is not sowning unto trouthe; 530 Other counsayl, it ar but fantasyes, Save of your grace to shewe pitè and routhe.'

_La D._ 'I holde him wyse that worketh folily And, whan him list, can leve and part therfro; But in conning he is to lerne, trewly, 535 That wolde him-self conduite, and can not so. And he that wil not after counsayl do, His sute he putteth in desesperaunce; And al the good, which that shulde falle him to, Is left as deed, clene out of rémembraunce.' 540

_Lam._ 'Yet wil I sewe this mater faithfully Whyls I may live, what-ever be my chaunce; And if it hap that in my trouthe I dy, That deeth shal not do me no displesaunce. But whan that I, by your ful hard suffraunce, 545 Shal dy so trew, and with so greet a payne, Yet shal it do me moche the lesse grevaunce Than for to live a fals lover, certayne.'

_La D._ 'Of me get ye right nought, this is no fable, I nil to you be neither hard nor strayt; 550 And right wil not, nor maner customable, To think ye shulde be sure of my conceyt. Who secheth sorowe, his be the receyt! Other counsayl can I not fele nor see, Nor for to lerne I cast not to awayte; 555 Who wil therto, let him assay, for me!'

_Lam._ 'Ones must it be assayd, that is no nay, With such as be of reputacioun, And of trew love the right devoir to pay Of free hertes, geten by due raunsoun; 560 For free wil holdeth this opinioun, That it is greet duresse and discomfort To kepe a herte in so strayt a prisoun, That hath but oon body for his disport.'

_La D._ 'I know so many cases mervaylous 565 That I must nede, of resoun, think certayn, That such entree is wonder perilous, And yet wel more, the coming bak agayn. Good or worship therof is seldom seyn; Wherefore I wil not make no suche aray 570 As for to fynde a plesaunce but barayn, Whan it shal cost so dere, the first assay.'

_Lam._ 'Ye have no cause to doute of this matere, Nor you to meve with no such fantasyes To put me ferre al-out, as a straungere; 575 For your goodnesse can think and wel avyse, That I have made a prefe in every wyse By which my trouth sheweth open evidence; My long abyding and my trew servyse May wel be knowen by playn experience.' 580

_La D._ 'Of very right he may be called trew, And so must he be take in every place, That can deserve, and let as he ne knew, And kepe the good, if he it may purchace. For who that prayeth or sueth in any case, 585 Right wel ye wot, in that no trouth is preved; Suche hath ther ben, and are, that geten grace, And lese it sone, whan they it have acheved.'

_Lam._ 'If trouth me cause, by vertue soverayne, To shew good love, and alway fynd contráry, 590 And cherish that which sleeth me with the payne, This is to me a lovely adversary! Whan that pitè, which long a-slepe doth tary, Hath set the fyne of al myn hevinesse, Yet her comfort, to me most necessary, 595 Shuld set my wil more sure in stablenesse.'

_La D._ 'The woful wight, what may he thinke or say? The contrary of al joy and gladnesse. A sick body, his thought is al away From hem that fele no sorowe nor siknesse. 600 Thus hurtes ben of dyvers businesse Which love hath put to right gret hinderaunce, And trouthe also put in forgetfulnesse Whan they so sore begin to sighe askaunce.'

_Lam._ 'Now god defend but he be havëlesse 605 Of al worship or good that may befal, That to the werst tourneth, by his lewdnesse, A gift of grace, or any-thing at al That his lady vouchsauf upon him cal, Or cherish him in honourable wyse! 610 In that defaut what-ever he be that fal Deserveth more than deth to suffre twyse!'

_La D._ 'There is no juge y-set of such trespace By which of right oon may recovered be; Oon curseth fast, another doth manace, 615 Yet dyeth non, as ferre as I can see, But kepe their cours alway, in oon degrè, And evermore their labour doth encrese To bring ladyes, by their gret soteltè, For others gilte, in sorowe and disese!' 620

_Lam._ 'Al-be-it so oon do so greet offence, And be not deed, nor put to no juÿse, Right wel I wot, him gayneth no defence, But he must ende in ful mischévous wyse, And al that ever is good wil him dispyse. 625 For falshed is so ful of cursednesse That high worship shal never have enterpryse Where it reigneth and hath the wilfulnesse.'

_La D._ 'Of that have they no greet fere now-a-days, Suche as wil say, and maynteyne it ther-to, 630 That stedfast trouthe is nothing for to prays In hem that kepe it long for wele or wo. Their busy hertes passen to and fro, They be so wel reclaymed to the lure, So wel lerned hem to withholde also, 635 And al to chaunge, whan love shuld best endure.'

_Lam._ 'Whan oon hath set his herte in stable wyse In suche a place as is both good and trewe, He shuld not flit, but do forth his servyse Alway, withouten chaunge of any newe. 640 As sone as love beginneth to remewe, Al plesaunce goth anon, in litel space; For my party, al that shal I eschewe, Whyls that the soule abydeth in his place.'

_La D._ 'To love trewly ther-as ye ought of right, 645 Ye may not be mistaken, doutëlesse; But ye be foul deceyved in your sight By lightly understanding, as I gesse. Yet may ye wel repele your businesse And to resoun somwhat have attendaunce, 650 Moch better than to byde, by fol simplesse, The feble socour of desesperaunce.'

_Lam._ 'Resoun, counsayl, wisdom, and good avyse Ben under love arested everichoon, To which I can accorde in every wyse; 655 For they be not rebel, but stille as stoon; Their wil and myn be medled al in oon, And therwith bounden with so strong a cheyne That, as in hem, departing shal be noon, But pitè breke the mighty bond atwayne.' 660

_La D._ 'Who loveth not himself, what-ever he be In love, he stant forgete in every place; And of your wo if ye have no pitè, Others pitè bileve not to purchace; But beth fully assured in this case, 665 I am alway under oon ordinaunce, To have better; trusteth not after grace, And al that leveth tak to your plesaunce!'

_Lam._ 'I have my hope so sure and so stedfast That suche a lady shulde nat fail pitè; 670 But now, alas! it is shit up so fast, That Daunger sheweth on me his crueltè. And if she see the vertue fayle in me Of trew servyce, then she to fayle also No wonder were; but this is the suretè, 675 I must suffre, which way that ever it go.'

_La D._ 'Leve this purpos, I rede you for the best; For lenger that ye kepe it thus in vayn, The lesse ye gete, as of your hertes rest, And to rejoice it shal ye never attayn. 680 Whan ye abyde good hope, to make you fayn, Ye shal be founde asotted in dotage; And in the ende, ye shal know for certayn, That hope shal pay the wrecches for their wage!'

_Lam._ 'Ye say as falleth most for your plesaunce, 685 And your power is greet; al this I see; But hope shal never out of my rémembraunce, By whiche I felt so greet adversitè. For whan nature hath set in you plentè Of al goodnesse, by vertue and by grace, 690 He never assembled hem, as semeth me, To put Pitè out of his dwelling-place.'

_La D._ 'Pitè of right ought to be resonable, And to no wight of greet disavantage; There-as is nede, it shuld be profitable, 695 And to the pitous shewing no damage. If a lady wil do so greet out-rage To shewe pitè, and cause her own debate, Of such pitè cometh dispitous rage, And of the love also right deedly hate.' 700

_Lam._ 'To comforte hem that live al comfortlesse, That is no harm, but worship to your name; But ye, that bere an herte of such duresse, And a fair body formed to the same, If I durst say, ye winne al this defame 705 By Crueltè, which sitteth you ful il, But-if Pitè, which may al this attame, In your high herte may rest and tary stil.'

_La D._ 'What-ever he be that sayth he loveth me, And peraventure, I leve that it be so, 710 Ought he be wroth, or shulde I blamed be, Though I did noght as he wolde have me do? If I medled with suche or other mo, It might be called pitè manerlesse; And, afterward if I shulde live in wo, 715 Than to repent it were to late, I gesse.'

_Lam._ 'O marble herte, and yet more hard, pardè, Which mercy may nat perce, for no labour, More strong to bowe than is a mighty tree, What vayleth you to shewe so greet rigour? 720 Plese it you more to see me dy this hour Before your eyen, for your disport and play, Than for to shewe som comfort or socour To respite deth, that chaseth me alway!'

_La D._ 'Of your disese ye may have allegeaunce; 725 And as for myn, I lete it over-shake. Also, ye shal not dye for my plesaunce, Nor for your hele I can no surety make. I nil nat hate myn hert for others sake; Wepe they, laugh they, or sing, this I waraunt, 730 For this mater so wel to undertake That non of you shal make therof avaunt!'

_Lam._ 'I can no skil of song; by god aloon, I have more cause to wepe in your presence; And wel I wot, avauntour am I noon, 735 For certainly, I love better silence. Oon shuld nat love by his hertes credence But he were sure to kepe it secretly; For avauntour is of no reverence Whan that his tonge is his most enemy.' 740

_La D._ 'Male-bouche in courte hath greet commaundement; Ech man studieth to say the worst he may. These fals lovers, in this tyme now present, They serve to boste, to jangle as a jay. The most secret wil wel that some men say 745 How he mistrusted is on some partyes; Wherfore to ladies what men speke or pray, It shuld not be bileved in no wyse.'

_Lam._ 'Of good and il shal be, and is alway; The world is such; the erth it is not playn. 750 They that be good, the preve sheweth every day, And otherwyse, gret villany, certayn. Is it resoun, though oon his tonge distayne With cursed speche, to do him-self a shame, That such refuse shuld wrongfully remayne 755 Upon the good, renommed in their fame?'

_La D._ 'Suche as be nought, whan they here tydings newe, That ech trespas shal lightly have pardoun, They that purposen to be good and trewe-- Wel set by noble disposicioun 760 To continue in good condicioun-- They are the first that fallen in damage, And ful freely their hertes abandoun To litel faith, with softe and fayr langage.'

_Lam._ 'Now knowe I wel, of very certayntè, 765 Though oon do trewly, yet shal he be shent, Sith al maner of justice and pitè Is banisshed out of a ladyes entent. I can nat see but al is at oo stent, The good and il, the vyce and eek vertue! 770 Suche as be good shal have the punishment For the trespas of hem that been untrewe!'

_La D._ 'I have no power you to do grevaunce, Nor to punisshe non other creature; But, to eschewe the more encomberaunce, 775 To kepe us from you al, I holde it sure. Fals semblaunce hath a visage ful demure, Lightly to cacche the ladies in a-wayt; Wherefore we must, if that we wil endure, Make right good watch; lo! this is my conceyt.' 780

_Lam._ 'Sith that of grace oo goodly word aloon May not be had, but alway kept in store, I pele to god, for he may here my moon, Of the duresse, which greveth me so sore. And of pitè I pleyn me further-more, 785 Which he forgat, in al his ordinaunce, Or els my lyf to have ended before, Which he so sone put out of rémembraunce.'

_La D._ 'My hert, nor I, have don you no forfeyt, By which ye shulde complayne in any kynde. 790 There hurteth you nothing but your conceyt; Be juge your-self; for so ye shal it fynde. Ones for alway let this sinke in your mynde-- That ye desire shal never rejoysed be! Ye noy me sore, in wasting al this wynde; 795 For I have sayd y-nough, as semeth me.'

VERBA AUCTORIS.

This woful man roos up in al his payne, And so parted, with weping countenaunce; His woful hert almost to-brast in twayne, Ful lyke to dye, forth walking in a traunce, 800 And sayd, 'Now, deeth, com forth! thy-self avaunce, Or that myn hert forgete his propertè; And make shorter al this woful penaunce Of my pore lyfe, ful of adversitè!'

Fro thens he went, but whider wist I nought, 805 Nor to what part he drow, in sothfastnesse; But he no more was in his ladies thought, For to the daunce anon she gan her dresse. And afterward, oon tolde me thus expresse, He rente his heer, for anguissh and for payne, 810 And in him-self took so gret hevinesse That he was deed, within a day or twayne.

LENVOY.

Ye trew lovers, this I beseche you al, Such +avantours, flee hem in every wyse, And as people defamed ye hem cal; 815 For they, trewly, do you gret prejudyse. Refus hath mad for al such flateryes His castelles strong, stuffed with ordinaunce, For they have had long tyme, by their offyce, The hool countrè of Love in obeysaunce. 820

And ye, ladyes, or what estat ye be, In whom Worship hath chose his dwelling-place, For goddes love, do no such crueltè, Namely, to hem that have deserved grace. Nor in no wyse ne folowe not the trace 825 Of her, that here is named rightwisly, Which by resoun, me semeth, in this case May be called LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCY.

VERBA TRANSLATORIS.

Go, litel book! god sende thee good passage! Chese wel thy way; be simple of manere; 830 Loke thy clothing be lyke thy pilgrimage, And specially, let this be thy prayere Un-to hem al that thee wil rede or here, Wher thou art wrong, after their help to cal Thee to correcte in any part or al. 835

Pray hem also, with thyn humble servyce, Thy boldënesse to pardon in this case; For els thou art not able, in no wyse, To make thy-self appere in any place. And furthermore, beseche hem, of their grace, 840 By their favour and supportacioun, To take in gree this rude translacioun,

The which, god wot, standeth ful destitute Of eloquence, of metre, and of coloures, Wild as a beest, naked, without refute, 845 Upon a playne to byde al maner shoures. I can no more, but aske of hem socoures At whos request thou mad were in this wyse, Commaunding me with body and servyse.

Right thus I make an ende of this processe, 850 Beseching him that al hath in balaunce That no trew man be vexed, causëlesse, As this man was, which is of rémembraunce; And al that doon their faythful observaunce, And in their trouth purpose hem to endure, 855 I pray god sende hem better aventure.

_Explicit._

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); _collated with_ F. (Fairfax 16); and H. (Harl. 372). _Also in_ Ff. (Camb. Univ. Lib. Ff. 1. 6). _Bad spellings of_ Th. _are corrected by the_ MSS. TITLE. Th. H. La ... mercy; F. Balade de la Bele Dame sanz mercy. H. _adds_--Translatid ... Ros. 1. Th. F. Halfe; H. Half. 2. F. H. Ff. wrapt. 3. _All_ rose. 4. Th. Ff. -selfe; H. F. self. 5. F. matere; H. matier. Th. leuynge. 6. Th. must; F. sholde; H. shold. 7. H. to whom; F. the which; Th. whiche. Th. F. dysobey; H. sey nay. 9. Th. thynge. Ff. part; _rest_ parte. 10. Th. F. boke; H. book. Th. La bel; F. la bele; H. _om._ La. H. F. sanz; Th. sauns. 11. Th. Whiche. 12. Th. secratairie; F. secretare; H. secretarie. 13. H. ther-; Th. F. her-. Th. F. stode; H. stood. 14. Th. greatly ymagenynge. 15. Th. shulde; F. H. sholde; Ff. shuld. Th. the; F. H. this. 16. Ff. avysement; _rest_ adv. 17. F. H. Ff. Myn; Th. My. F. H. Ff. symplesse.

18. Th. -warde; strayte. 19. Th. myne. 20. Th. downe. 21. Th. conclusyon. 24. H. in-to. H. green; Th. F. grene. 25. Th. se; great. 26. F. H. Ff. bolded; Th. boldly. F. benyng; Th. benygne; H. benyngne. 27. F. H. Ff. That; Th. Whiche. Th. F. boke; H. booke. H. F. the; Th. Ff. this. Th. _om._ seid. 28. F. H. begynne. Th. please. (_From this point I silently correct the spelling of_ Th.) 33. Th. Ff. by; F. H. with. 35. Ff. soleyne (_for_ sole thus); _perhaps better_. 41. F. H. Ff. is; Th. doth. 42. F. felde. Th. maner of ease. 43. F. H. I; Th. as I. 44. F. H. Ff. nor doth noon other. 46. F. H. Ff. Were constreyned. 47. H. Myn eyen; F. Myn eyn; Th. My penne; Ff. My pen. Ff. neu_er_ haue knolege; H. haue knowlege (!); Th. neuer knowe; F. haue no knowlych.

49. F. H. Ff. And; Th. Tho. Th. _om._ if. 53. F. H. Ff. seke; Th. sicke. 54. Th. Ff. theyr; H. F. her (_often_). 55. F. H. balade or. 60. F. H. Ff. lyth with hir vndir hir tumbe in graue (Ff. I-graue). 65. Th. Ff. by; F. H. with. F. hath the forser vnschete. 66. Th. sperde; Ff. spred; F. sprad; H. spradde (!). 73. Th. H. _om._ good. 74. Th. _om._ Al. H. made than. 75. F. Ff. set; H. sette; Th. shette. F. H. Ff. boundes; Th. bondes. 77. F. H. thoughtes. Th. _om._ my. 79. F. I (_for_ it). 80. H. I purposid me to bide.

81. H. forth to. 83. F. H. Ff. but; Th. a. 84. F. H. gardeyn; Th. garden. 88. F. _om._ yet I; H. _om._ yet. 89. F. H. come; Th. came. 90. Th. her; F. H. Ff. their. 92. F. H. nede; Th. nedes. 95. H. F. Ff. eueryche by one and one; Th. euery one by one. 103. _So_ Ff.; H. F. Were none that serued in that place (!); Th. Ther were no deedly seruaunts in the place. 105. Ff. _per_aunt_er_. H. _om._ most. 106. Th. _om._ sitting. 110. F. com; H. come; Th. came. 111. H. F. man; Th. one; Ff. on.

115. Th. F. Ff. went; H. yode. 116. Th. F. Ff. Ful; H. At. 117. Th. _om._ good _and_ right. 122. F. H. Come; Th. Came. 124. F. H. _om. 2nd_ in. 133. F. H. feste; Th. feest. 134. Th. coude; _rest_ couth. F. H. _om._ it. 138. Th. H. bode. 143. F. eey; H. yee; Th. eye. Th. F. Ff. stedfast; H. faste. 144. Th. _om._ the.

145. F. H. And; Th. For. Th. Ff. shot; H. sight; F. seght. 146. H. fedired; F. fedred; Ff. federid; Th. fereful. 148. Th. I, or that; F. ther that; H. I that there. Th. iestes. 151. F. H. tendirly; Th. wonderly. 154. F. H. come; Th. came. 155. F. H. _om._ most. F. H. ruful; Ff. rewfull; Th. woful. F. H. Ff. semblaunce; Th. penaunce. 158. F. H. these; Th. the. 159. F. H. louer; Th. man he. 160. Th. _om._ but. 166. _All_ chase. 168. F. H. beautevous. 169. F. H. that; Th. so. F. H. set; Th. setteth. H. trist. 170. Th. the (_rightly_); H. there; F. Ff. their. 171. F. vndir a. 173. F. H. as; Th. that. 174. F. Ff. O; H. On; Th. One. F. H. vice. (!). H. ner (_for 1st_ nor). Th. Ff. nor; H. or; F. ne. Ff. apert; Th. H. perte;F. pert. 175. Th. garyson. Th. goodlynesse. 176. _All_ frounter.

178. F. H. Ff. her; Th. of (_twice_). 180. Th. standerde; F. standarte; H. standart. 183. Th. -drawe; H. -drewh. 184. Th. Ff. alone; F. H. _om._ 186. F. withes; H. Ff. wythyes; Th. wrethes. 188. H. Ff. thorughe; Th. through; F. thorgh. Th. no man might. 189. Th. this; H. his. F. H. come; Th. came. 191. Th. Set (_for_ Sith). H. herbier. 192. H. them. Th. but a. 193. Th. of a certayne. 195. Th. _om._ And. 196. _So_ F. H.; Th. bytwene hem two. 201. Th. more; H. Ff. neer. 204. Ff. hete; Th. heate; F. H. hert.

209. Th. Ff. gan; F. H. can. 210. F. H. The toon. 213-220. F. _omits_. 224. F. H. Ff. kyns; Th. kynde. 225. H. Ff. avise; Th. aduyse. 226. Th. it at; F. H. _om._ at. 227. H. enterprise. 228. F. H. It; Th. Yet. 229. Th. it be; F. H. _om._ it. 231. Th. Ff. eschewynge; F. H. escusyng. 234. F. H. to; Th. vnto. 235. _All_ ye. Th. Ff. right; F. even; H. euyn. 237. H. _om._ that. 238. Th. alway; F. H. ay to. 239. F. H. _om._ for. 240. Th. Withouten; F. Without.

241. H. gif; F. geve. 242. F. H. ayein; Th. any (!). 243. F. withouten; H. withoughtyn; Th. withoute. 248. F. Ff. mesurabely; Th. H. mesurably. 249. Th. Ff. your thought is; F. H. ye do ful. 251. Th. thynketh; F. H. think ye. Th. whyles; H. whil that; Ff. whils that. 252. F. matere; H. matier; Th. mater. 258. F. Ff. dyffiaunce. 259. F. H. Ff. to forbarre; Th. for to barre. 262. Th. _om._ hath. 263 Th. eye; F. eeye; H. yee; (_read_ y). 265. F. if that ye lyst to beholde; H. Ff. if ye liste to biholde; Th. if ye list ye may beholde. 267. H. nor; Th. F. Ff. ne.

273. Th. _om._ not. Th. her; F. H. Ff. his. 275. F. H. Ff. But; Th. By (!). 278. H. _om._ trewly. Th. Ff. nought; F. H. neuer. 281. F. beleue; H. bileue; Th. loue (!). 282. _So_ Ff.; H. F. _om._ greet (Th. you dyspleasaunce!). 284. _So_ F. Th.; H. encombrance. 290. F. I-falle; H. y-falle; Ff. falle; Th. fal. 297. Th. F. Ff. now; H. nought. 302. Th. it were; F. H. _om._ it. 303. F. sorow; H. sorwe; Th. Ff. sory. 304. F. H. stroye; Th. destroye. 308. F. H. oo; Th. one.

309. Th. Ff. nor; F. H. ne. 310. F. H. grete desire nor; Th. haue therin no. Th. _om._ right. 311. F. H. seke; Th. sicke. 312. Th. of; F. H. Ff. to. 313. F. H. their; Th. her. 317. Th. that ioy; F. H. _om._ that. 318. F. H. _om._ al. 319. F. H. their; Th. her. 320. Th. maner of age. 322. Th. by; F. H. Ff. of. Th. purchesse; F. H. purchace. 324. Th. tymes. F. _om._ the. H. dere his richesse bought has. Ff. rechace; _rest_ richesse. 326. Th. in (_for 2nd_ of). 327. F. ben; Th. be; H. are. 329. H. scoolys holden dieuly. 330. F. H. of; Th. al. 331. F. H. their hedes away. 334. F. set; Ff. sette; Th. H. setteth. 337. F. H. _om._ that. 340. Th. shewe; F. sue; H. Ff. sewe.

341. Th. Ff. awayte; F. H. abayte. 342. F. worching; H. worsching; Th. workyng. 344. F. H. know and fele. 346. F. H. him; Th. Ff. hem. 347. F. H. when that; Th. _om._ that. 348. F. H. their; Th. her. 350. _All_ avaunced loue. 351. Th. sharpe. F. H. this; Th. thus. 352. F. H. It; Th. Ff. Yet. 354. F. ton; H. toon; Th. one. F. H. the tother; Th. that other. 355. Th. _om._ the. Th. certeyne (!). 356. F. wonne; H. wonnen; Th. one (!). F. H. with; Th. in. 358. F. H. is; Th. thi_n_ke. 363. F. nor; H. ner; Th. and. Th. _om._ certayn. 364. F. H. stant; Th. standeth. F. enfeoffed. 366. Th. _om._ as. 371. F. H. rightwysly; Th. vnryghtfully (!).

384. Th. Ff. ayre; F. eir; H. heire. 386. Th. Thus be. F. H. Ff. man of; Th. maner. 387. F. layth; Th. layeth; H. latith. 388. H. losith. 389. F. Ff. currisch; H. kurressh; Th. cursed. 391. Th. F. right; H. ful. 392. F. H. their; Th. her. F. worchyng; H. werchyng; Th. workynge. 393. Th. and; F. H. a. F. Th. Ff. semyng; H. menyng. 394. F. H. Their; Th. Her (_thrice_). Th. _om._ be. Th. but; F. H. not. 400. H. sorowe. 401. Th. wheder; Ff. whedre; F. H. wher. 403. F. H. Ff. if; Th. of. 404. F. Ff. Then; H. Thanne; Th. That.

408. Th. sicknesse. 410. Th. disporte. Th. me. 411. Th. Ff. nor; F. H. ne. 412. F. H. Ff. it; Th. hem. 413. Th. Ff. byrde; F. bride; H. bridde. 415. H. _om. 2nd_ him. 416. F. H. _om. 2nd_ him. 419. Th. farther. 420. F. H. sett lesse. 422. F. H. Ff. of; Th. for. 424. F. H. of all; Th. Ff. _om._ of. 425. Th. wote; F. H. wytt. 429-716. _Misarranged in_ F. H.; Th. Ff. _follow the right order_. 429. (Th.) = 669 (F. H.). F. _om. 2nd_ by. 431. F. There-of. F. H. shulde; Th. shal. 432. Th. him that cometh and goth. 433. Th. holdeth. 434. Th. as to; F. H. Ff. _om._ as. 435. F. H. wolde; Th. Ff. wyl. 436. Th. desyringe (!).

438. Th. To; F. H. With. F. H. best and tendyrly; Th. Ff. _om._ best and. 440. F. H. _om._ no. F. H. Ff. yift; Th. gyftes. 442. F. Wheryn hym. 443. F. H. Ff. constreynte. 444. F. H. Ff. may not; Th. ca_n_ neuer. F. H. ne; Th. Ff. nor. 445. H. seche; F. beseche. 446. F. H. _om._ it. 450. Th. a curtyse; Ff. a corteys; F. H. curteysy. 456. Th. _om._ al. 460. H. loste (_for_ left). 461. F. H. Ff. neuer formed (fourmed); Th. founded neuer. 467. Th. no (_for_ non). F. eeyn; H. yeen. 468. H. That ne alle ar.

472. F. feoffeth. 474. Th. be (_for_ he). 475. F. H. _om._ his. 477-524. _Follows_ 572 _in_ F. H. 477 (Th.) = 525 (F. H.). 478. Th. Ff. so; H. sum; F. some. 479. H. sowndith. 481. H. Ff. thus; Th. this. 486. F. _om._ ye. H. F. your sesoun spende not. 488. H. Ff. foly; Th. folly. 489. Th. H. herte. H. F. folyly; Th. follyly. 492. H. F. And; Th. _om._ Th. to fal. 493. H. Th. faire. 494. H. Ff. had (_for_ hath). H. F. your; Th. Ff. his. 495. F. H. I neuer; Th. Ff. It neuer. 496. F. H. whiles. 500. H. F. not; Ff. nought; Th. neyther.

501. Th. gyfte; H. yifte. 502. Th. _om._ that. 503. Th. a gifte; H. F. Ff. _om._ a. 505. H. F. _om._ an. H. hurte ful fele (!). 506. H. F. Ff. in; Th. to. 508. H. F. neuer; Th. neyther. 509. H. F. Who; Th. Ff. He. 512. F. _om._ the. Th. reproveable. 513. F. H. feyled; Th. fayned. 514. Th. I mystoke; H. F. Ff. me mystoke. 515. F. entrepris. 516. H. F. goten. 517. H. Th. liste. 518. F. H. Secheth; Th. Seche a. 519. Th. preuayle. 523. H. hosithe (_for_ leseth). 525-572. _Follows_ 716 _in_ F. H. 528. H. hoole; Th. hole. 529. H. F. it; Th. I. H. F. _om._ ne. 530. H. soundyng. 531. H. F. it ar; Th. I se be. Th. Ff. fantasise; F. fantasyse; H. fantaisise.

533. H. F. Ff. folily; Th. no foly (!). 534. H. Th. parte. 536. F. condyte. 538. Th. Ff. sute; H. F. suerte. H. F. in; Th. in to. 539. Th. _om._ which. H. F. _om._ that. 540. H. F. Ff. left as; Th. lost and. F. dethe (!). 542. H. Ff. Whils; Th. Whyles. Th. _om._ may. 544. Th. Than; H. F. Ff. That. H. not; Th. F. _om._ 545. Ff. full; _rest om._ Th. H. harde. 546. H. triew; Th. true. H. grete; Th. great. F. Ff. _om._ a. 547. F. H. _om._ the; _read_ mochel less? 550. H. F. nyl; Th. wyl. H. Th. harde. 551. Th. no man (_for_ nor maner). 555. Th. cast me not. 556. H. F. ther-to; Th. therof. 558. H. F. beth. 559. H. trewe; Th. true. Ff. devoyr; H. duetes; F. dewtis; Th. honour. 560. Th. gotten. H. F. due; Th. dewe. 562. H. grete; Th. great. H. Th. -forte. 564. H. F. oo; Ff. on; Th. one. H. Th. -porte.

565. Ff. H. cases; _rest_ causes. 566. H. F. Which; Th. Ff. That. 567. H. F. Ff. entre; Th. auenture (!). 570. Th. Where I ne wyl make suche. 571. Th. but a; H. F. _om._ a. 573-620. _Follows_ 668 _in_ H. F. 573. F. matere; Th. mater. 574. Th. fantasyse; F. fantasise; H. fantesye. 576. F. Ff. avyse; Th. H. aduyse. 577. H. Ff. prefe; F. p_re_ue; Th. prise. 578. H. trouthe; Th. truthe. 579. H. Th. trewe. 581. H. Th. trewe. 583. H. Ff. deserue; Th. discerne (!). H. Th. knewe. 585. H. Ff. sueth; F. seweth; Th. swereth. 587. Th. geten; H. F. getith. 588. H. F. Ff. it haue; Th. haue it. 590. Th. H. shewe; fynde. 593. H. F. a slepe; Th. on slepe. 595. Th. H. comforte. 596. Ff. Shuld; H. F. Shulde; Th. Shal.

599. Th. sycke; H. F. seke. F. _om._ his. H. F. Ff. al awaye; Th. alway. 600. H. Ff. fele; Th. felen. H. sorwe; F. Ff. sorowe; Th. sore. 602. Th. _om._ right. Th. hindraunce. 604. H. Ff. so; Th. ful; F. _om._ 605. H. Th. defende. H. F. haueles; Th. harmlesse (!). 607. Th. _om._ the. 608. Th. gyfte; H. yifte. 609. Th. Ff. vouchesafe; H. vouchith sauf. 610. H. F. cherissh; Th. Ff. cherissheth. 611. H. Th. defaute. 613. H. F. of; Th. on. H. Th. suche. 614. H. one; F. [=o]n; Th. loue. 615. H. Th. One. 616. H. Th. none. 617. H. Th. her; _see_ 618. Th. course; H. corse. Th. H. one; F. a. 618. H. F. euere newe; Th. Ff. euermore. Ff. their; Th. theyr; H. there; F. thair. 619. Th. Ff. their great; H. F. _om._ great. H. F. subtilite; Th. subtelte; Ff. sotelte. 621-668. _Follows_ 524 _in_ F. H. 621. F. oone; H. on; Th. one. Th. dothe; great. 622. H. F. Ff. be; Th. is. H. F. Ff. Iuyse; Th. iustyse. 625. _So_ H. F. Ff.; Th. And al euer sayd god wyl. 626. Th. _om._ so.

627. Ff. highe; H. F. her; Th. his. H. F. shal; Th. Ff. may. 629. Th. great; F. H. _om._ Th. dayse; H. daies. 631. H. preys; Th. prayse. 632. F. H. Ff. for; Th. in. 633. Th. F. Theyr; H. There. 637. Th. one; H. on; Ff. won. 638. H. Ff. which (_for_ as). 643. _So_ F. H.; Th. As for my partie that. 644. Th. Whyle; H. F. Ff. Whils that. 645. F. H. ye; Th. it. 647. Th. H. foule. H. F. deceyued; Th. disceyued. 648. H. F. lightly; Th. light. 649. H. F. this; Th. Ff. your. 650. H. Ff. sumwhat haue; Th. haue some. 651. _All_ Moche. H. sonner; F. sunner; Th. Ff. better. Th. to abide. Ff. fole; _rest_ foly. Th. simplenes; _rest_ simplesse. 653. F. Ff. avyse; Th. H. aduyse. 656. Th. as a; H. F. Ff. _om._ a.

657. H. There. Th. H. one; Ff. won. 659. Th. Ff. as (_rightly_); H. F. is. Th. H. none. 660. Th. H. bonde. 661. H. Ff. Who loueth; F. Who love; Th. Ye loue. H. F. hym-; Th. your-. H. F. he be; Th. ye be. 662. _So_ H. F. Ff.; Th. That in loue stande. 664. Th. bileue ye; _rest om._ ye. 665. H. F. beth; Th. be. Th. as in; _rest om._ as. 666. Th. alway; H. F. alwaies. Th. one; Ff. on; H. an. 667. F. H. trusteth; Th. trust. 668. Th. H. take. 669-716. _Follows_ 428 _in_ F. H. 670. Th. lacke; H. F. Ff. faile. 673. H. faileth. 674. F. H. Ff. then she to; Th. thoughe she do. 675. Th. my; F. H. Ff. the. H. surtee; F. seurte. 677. H. purpos; Th. pupose. 678. Th. For the lenger ye. H. F. Ff. thus; Th. is. 680. H. F. Ff. ye; Th. you. 684. Th. _om._ That. H. ther; Th. her. 686. Th. great.

688. F. H. Ff. felt; Th. fele. Th. great. 691. H. F. semeth; Th. semed. 694. H. F. of; Th. do no. 696. F. damage; H. da_m_mage; Th. Ff. domage. 697. H. F. _om._ wil. 699. H. dispetous. 700. Th. suche; H. F. Ff. the. 702. Th. H. harme. H. F. Ff. worship; Th. co_m_forte. 703. H. F. Ff. bere an; Th. haue a. Th. H. suche. 704. H. F. Ff. _om._ And. _All_ fayre. H. F. Ff. body; Th. lady (!). H. formed to; F. Ff. y-formed to; Th. I must affirme (!). 710. H. F. Ff. that; Th. wel. 712. H. noght; Th. not. 714. H. F. Ff. manerles; Th. mercylesse. 717. _Here_ H. F. _agree with_ Th. _again_. Ff. marbre. Th. H. harde.

720. H. F. Ff. vaileth; Th. auayleth. Th. great. 721. H. F. Please; Th. Pleaseth. Th. H. dye. 722. Th. H. dysporte. 723. H. F. Ff. or; Th. and. 724. Th. H. dethe. H. F. that; Th. whiche. 725. Th. H. disease. 726. H. F. Ff. shake; Th. slake. 728. Th. heale. 729. H. F. Ff. nyl; Th. wyl. H. F. Ff. hate myn herte; Th. hurte my selfe. 730. Th. they I; H. F. Ff. this I. 731. H. F. wel to: Th. wyl I. 732. H. F. you; Th. hem. 733. H. noo; Th. nat. H. F. Ff. song; Th. loue. Th. alone. 735. H. F. Ff. I; Th. ye. Th. H. wote. Th. none. 737. Th. One; H. On. 739. Th. H. a vauntour; _cf._ l. 735. 741. Th. great. 744. H. F. Ff. to boste; Th. best. 745. H. wil wele; F. Ff. wille wel; Th. ywis. H. F. Ff. that; Th. yet. 746. H. F. on; Th. in. F. Th. p_ar_tyse; Ff. partyes; H. party. 747. H. F. Ff. what; Th. whan so. Th. say (_for_ pray). 748. H. F. shal; Ff. schuld; Th. shulde.

750. Th. H. suche. Th. Ff. erth; H. F. dethe. H. F. Ff. it is not; Th. is not al. 751. H. F. preve; Th. profe. 752. Th. great villony. 753. F. Ff. Is it; Th. H. It is. Th. H. one. 755. H. F. refuse. 756. Th. renomed; H. renommeed. F. H. her (_for_ their). 757. Th. here; H. herde. 758. Th. H. eche. 759. H. purposen; F. porposyn; Th. pursuen. 760. _So_ H. F. Ff.; Th. Wyl not set by none il d. 761. Th. in euery; H. F. _om._ euery. 763. Ff. thair; F. ther; H. theym; Th. the. F. H. _om._ hertes. 764. Th. faithe. Th. Ff. softe and fayre; H. faire and softe. 766. F. H. Though; Th. Ff. If. _All_ one. 768. H. banshid. 769. H. F. oo; Th. one. 770. Th. the (_for 1st_ and); H. F. and. Ff. eke; _rest_ eke the. 771. H. Ff. shal; Th. such. 772. H. F. ben; Ff. beth; Th. lyue. 777. F. H. Ff. visage; Th. face (!). 778. H. F. Ff. the; Th. these. Th. H. Ff. a wayte.

779. F. H. Ff. yf that we wil; Th. if we wyl here. 780. Th. H. co_n_ceyte. 781. F. H. oo; Th. a. Th. worde. H. F. Ff. allone; Th. nat one. 782. F. H. not; Th. nowe. Th. kepte. 783. H. F. Ff. pele; Th. appele. _All_ mone (_read_ moon). 785. H. Ff. pleyne me; F. pleyn me; Th. complayne. 786. Th. H. forgate. 787. H. elles. 788. Ff. H. F. he so sone put; Th. so sone am put. 789. Th. H. forfeyte. 791. _So_ H. F. Ff.; Th. Nothing hurteth you but your owne conceyte. 792. H. shal ye. 793. H. F. Ones for; Th. Thus. 794. _So_ H. Ff.; _so_ F. (_with_ the _for_ ye); Th. That your desyre shal neuer recouered be. 796. Th. ynoughe. TITLE; _in_ H. 797. Th. rose; H. rosse. H. F. al in; Th. Ff. in al. 798. Ff. partyd; _rest_ departed. 799. Th. to-brast; H. F. Ff. it brest. 800. H. forth walkyng; Th. Ff. walkynge forth. 801. Th. _om._ Now. 803. Th. Ff. shorter; H. shorte; F. short. 805. H. Ff. whider; Th. whither. 806. F. party. F. Ff. drow; H. drowh; Th. drewe.

809. Th. Ff. thus; H. it; F. _om._ 811. Th. great. TITLE; _in_ Th. 813. H. F. Ff. Ye; Th. The. F. trew; H. trewe; Th. true. Th. thus; H. Ff. this. 814. Ff. aventours; _rest_ aventures (_see note_). Th. flie; H. F. fle. 816. Th. great. 817. Th. _omits this line; from_ H. F. Ff. H. F. made. H. F. Ff. flaterise. 821. Th. H. estate; Ff. astate. 822. H. F. Ff. In; Th. Of. 824. Ff. haue; F. hath; H. _om._ Th. _omits the line_. 825. H. folwe ye not; F. folowe ye not; Ff. folowe not; Th. foule not. _After_ 828, F. _has_--Explicit la bele dame sanz mercy; H. F. Verba translatoris. 829. Th. H. Ff. the. 833. H. F. _om._ al. _All_ the. 834. Th. hir (_for_ their). 835. Th. H. The.

837. Th. cace; H. caas. 838. H. elles. 840, 841. Th. her (_for_ their). 843. Th. H. wote. 844. Th. _om._ and. 845. H. F. Wilde; Th. Ff. Lyke. 846. Ff. tabyde; Th. to abyde. 847. H. axe. 848. Th. Ff. were made; F. was made; H. made was. 850. H. F. Ff. processe; Th. prosses. 852. Th. H. trewe. 854. Th. done her; Ff. do thair; H. dothe here; F. doth thair. 855. Th. her (_for_ their). _After_ 856; Th. Explicit; H. Amen.

* * * * *

XVII.

THE TESTAMENT OF CRESSEID.

Ane dooly sesoun to ane cairfull dyte Suld correspond, and be equivalent. Richt sa it wes quhen I began to wryte This tragedy; the wedder richt fervent, Quhen Aries, in middis of the Lent, 5 Shouris of haill can fra the north discend; That scantly fra the cauld I micht defend.

Yit nevertheles, within myn orature I stude, quhen Tytan had his bemis bricht Withdrawin doun and sylit under cure; 10 And fair Venus, the bewty of the nicht, Uprais, and set unto the west full richt Hir goldin face, in oppositioun Of god Phebus direct discending doun.

Throwout the glas hir bemis brast sa fair 15 That I micht see, on every syde me by, The northin wind had purifyit the air, And shed the misty cloudis fra the sky. The froist freisit, the blastis bitterly Fra pole Artyk come quhisling loud and shill, 20 And causit me remuf aganis my will.

For I traistit that Venus, luifis quene, To quhom sum-tyme I hecht obedience, My faidit hart of luf sho wald mak grene; And therupon, with humbil reverence, 25 I thocht to pray hir hy magnificence; But for greit cald as than I lattit was, And in my chalmer to the fyr can pas.

Thocht luf be hait, yit in ane man of age It kendillis nocht sa sone as in youthheid, 30 Of quhom the blude is flowing in ane rage; And in the auld the curage +douf and deid, Of quhilk the fyr outward is best remeid, To help be phisik quhair that nature failit; I am expert, for baith I have assailit. 35

I mend the fyr, and beikit me about, Than tuik ane drink my spreitis to comfort, And armit me weill fra the cauld thairout. To cut the winter-nicht, and mak it short, I tuik ane quair, and left all uther sport, 40 Writtin be worthy Chaucer glorious, Of fair Cresseid and lusty Troilus.

And thair I fand, efter that Diomeid Ressavit had that lady bricht of hew, How Troilus neir out of wit abraid, 45 And weipit soir, with visage paill of hew; For quhilk wanhope his teiris can renew, Quhill +esperans rejoisit him agane: Thus quhyl in joy he levit, quhyl in pane.

Of hir behest he had greit comforting, 50 Traisting to Troy that sho suld mak retour, Quhilk he desyrit maist of eirdly thing, For-quhy sho was his only paramour. Bot quhen he saw passit baith day and hour Of hir gaincome, than sorrow can oppres 55 His woful hart in cair and hevines.

Of his distres me neidis nocht reheirs, For worthy Chaucer, in the samin buik, In guidly termis and in joly veirs Compylit hes his cairis, quha will luik. 60 To brek my sleip ane uther quair I tuik, In quilk I fand the fatall desteny Of fair Cresseid, that endit wretchitly.

Quha wait gif all that Chauceir wrait was trew? Nor I wait nocht gif this narratioun 65 Be authoreist, or fenyeit of the new Be sum poeit, throw his inventioun, Maid to report the lamentatioun And woful end of this lusty Cresseid, And quhat distres sho thoillit, and quhat deid. 70

Quhen Diomed had all his appetyt, And mair, fulfillit of this fair lady, Upon ane uther he set his haill delyt, And send to hir ane lybel of répudy, And hir excludit fra his company. 75 Than desolait sho walkit up and doun, And, sum men sayis, into the court commoun.

O fair Cresseid! the flour and _A-per-se_ Of Troy and Grece, how was thou fortunait, To change in filth all thy feminitee, 80 And be with fleshly lust sa maculait, And go amang the Greikis air and lait Sa giglot-lyk, takand thy foull plesance! I have pity thee suld fall sic mischance!

Yit nevertheles, quhat-ever men deme or say 85 In scornful langage of thy brukilnes, I sall excuse, als far-furth as I may, Thy womanheid, thy wisdom, and fairnes, The quilk Fortoun hes put to sic distres As hir pleisit, and na-thing throw the gilt 90 Of thee, throw wikkit langage to be spilt.

This fair lady, in this wys destitut Of all comfort and consolatioun, Richt prively, but fellowship, on fut Disgysit passit far out of the toun 95 Ane myle or twa, unto ane mansioun Beildit full gay, quhair hir father Calchas, Quhilk than amang the Greikis dwelland was.

Quhan he hir saw, the caus he can inquyr Of hir cuming; sho said, syching full soir, 100 'Fra Diomeid had gottin his desyr He wox wery, and wald of me no moir!' Quod Calchas, 'Douchter, weip thow not thairfoir; Peraventure all cummis for the best; Welcum to me; thow art full deir ane gest.' 105

This auld Calchas, efter the law was tho, Wes keeper of the tempill, as ane preist, In quhilk Venus and hir son Cupido War honourit; and his chalmer was thaim neist; To quhilk Cresseid, with baill aneuch in breist, 110 Usit to pas, hir prayeris for to say; Quhill at the last, upon ane solempne day,

As custom was, the pepill far and neir, Befoir the none, unto the tempill went With sacrifys devoit in thair maneir. 115 But still Cresseid, hevy in hir intent, In-to the kirk wald not hir-self present, For giving of the pepil ony deming Of hir expuls fra Diomeid the king:

But past into ane secreit orature 120 Quhair sho micht weip hir wofull desteny. Behind hir bak sho cloisit fast the dure, And on hir knëis bair fell down in hy. Upon Venus and Cupid angerly Sho cryit out, and said on this same wys, 125 'Allas! that ever I maid yow sacrifys!

Ye gave me anis ane devyn responsaill That I suld be the flour of luif in Troy; Now am I maid an unworthy outwaill, And all in cair translatit is my joy. 130 Quha sall me gyde? quha sall me now convoy, Sen I fra Diomeid and nobill Troilus Am clene excludit, as abject odious?

O fals Cupide, is nane to wyte bot thow And thy mother, of luf the blind goddes! 135 Ye causit me alwayis understand and trow The seid of luf was sawin in my face, And ay grew grene throw your supply and grace. But now, allas! that seid with froist is slane, And I fra luifferis left, and all forlane!' 140

Quhen this was said, doun in ane extasy, Ravishit in spreit, intill ane dream sho fell; And, be apperance, hard, quhair sho did ly, Cupid the king ringand ane silver bell, Quhilk men micht heir fra hevin unto hell; 145 At quhais sound befoir Cupide appeiris The sevin planetis, discending fra thair spheiris,

Quhilk hes powèr of all thing generábill To reull and steir, be thair greit influence, Wedder and wind and coursis variábill. 150 And first of all Saturn gave his sentence, Quhilk gave to Cupid litill reverence, But as ane busteous churl, on his maneir, Com crabbitly, with auster luik and cheir.

His face fronsit, his lyr was lyk the leid 155 His teith chatterit and cheverit with the chin His ene drowpit, how, sonkin in his heid Out of his nois the meldrop fast can rin With lippis bla, and cheikis leine and thin The yse-shoklis that fra his hair doun hang 160 Was wonder greit, and as ane speir als lang.

Atour his belt his lyart lokkis lay Felterit unfair, ourfret with froistis hoir; His garmound and his +gyte full gay of gray; His widderit weid fra him the wind out woir. 165 Ane busteous bow within his hand he boir; Under his gyrdil ane flash of felloun flanis Fedderit with yse, and heidit with hail-stanis.

Than Juppiter richt fair and amiábill, God of the starnis in the firmament, 170 And nureis to all thing[is] generábill, Fra his father Saturn far different, With burely face, and browis bricht and brent; Upon his heid ane garland wonder gay Of flouris fair, as it had been in May. 175

His voice was cleir, as cristal wer his ene; As goldin wyr sa glitterand was his hair; His garmound and his gyte full gay of grene, With goldin listis gilt on every gair; Ane burely brand about his middill bair. 180 In his right hand he had ane groundin speir, Of his father the wraith fra us to weir.

Nixt efter him com Mars, the god of ire, Of stryf, debait, and all dissensioun; To chyde and fecht, als feirs as ony fyr; 185 In hard harnes, hewmound and habirgeoun, And on his hanche ane rousty fell fachioun: And in his hand he had ane rousty sword, Wrything his face with mony angry word.

Shaikand his sword, befoir Cupide he com 190 With reid visage and grisly glowrand ene; And at his mouth ane bullar stude of fome, Lyk to ane bair quhetting his tuskis kene Richt tuilyour-lyk, but temperance in tene; Ane horn he blew, with mony bosteous brag, 195 Quhilk all this warld with weir hes maid to wag.

Than fair Phebus, lanterne and lamp of licht Of man and beist, baith frute and flourishing, Tender nuréis, and banisher of nicht, And of the warld causing, be his moving 200 And influence, lyf in all eirdly thing; Without comfort of quhom, of force to nocht Must all ga dy, that in this warld is wrocht.

As king royáll he raid upon his chair, The quhilk Phaeton gydit sum-tyme unricht; 205 The brichtnes of his face, quhen it was bair, Nane micht behald for peirsing of his sicht. This goldin cart with fyry bemes bricht Four yokkit steidis, full different of hew, But bait or tyring throw the spheiris drew. 210

The first was soyr, with mane als reid as rois, Callit Eöy, in-to the orient; The secund steid to name hecht Ethiös, Quhytly and paill, and sum-deill ascendent; The thrid Peros, richt hait and richt fervent; 215 The feird was blak, callit +Philegoney, Quhilk rollis Phebus down in-to the sey.

Venus was thair present, that goddes gay, Hir sonnis querrel for to defend, and mak Hir awin complaint, cled in ane nyce array, 220 The ane half grene, the uther half sabill-blak; Quhyte hair as gold, kemmit and shed abak; But in hir face semit greit variance, Quhyles perfit treuth, and quhylës inconstance.

Under smyling sho was dissimulait, 225 Provocative with blenkis amorous; And suddanly changit and alterait, Angry as ony serpent venemous, Richt pungitive with wordis odious. Thus variant sho was, quha list tak keip, 230 With ane eye lauch, and with the uther weip:--

In taikning that all fleshly paramour, Quhilk Venus hes in reull and governance, Is sum-tyme sweit, sum-tyme bitter and sour, Richt unstabill, and full of variance, 235 Mingit with cairfull joy, and fals plesance; Now hait, now cauld; now blyth, now full of wo; Now grene as leif, now widderit and ago.

With buik in hand than com Mercurius, Richt eloquent and full of rethory; 240 With pólite termis and delicious; With pen and ink to réport all redy; Setting sangis, and singand merily. His hude was reid, heklit atour his croun, Lyk to ane poeit of the auld fassoun. 245

Boxis he bair with fine electuairis, And sugerit syropis for digestioun; Spycis belangand to the pothecairis, With mony hailsum sweit confectioun; Doctour in phisik, cled in scarlot goun, 250 And furrit weill, as sic ane aucht to be, Honest and gude, and not ane word coud le.

Nixt efter him com lady Cynthia, The last of all, and swiftest in hir spheir, Of colour blak, buskit with hornis twa, 255 And in the nicht sho listis best appeir; Haw as the leid, of colour na-thing cleir. For all hir licht sho borrowis at hir brothir Titan; for of hir-self sho hes nane uther.

Hir gyte was gray, and full of spottis blak; 260 And on hir breist ane churl paintit ful evin, Beirand ane bunch of thornis on his bak, Quhilk for his thift micht clim na nar the hevin. Thus quhen they gadderit war, thir goddis sevin, Mercurius they cheisit with ane assent 265 To be foir-speikar in the parliament.

Quha had ben thair, and lyking for to heir His facound toung and termis exquisyte, Of rhetorik the praktik he micht leir, In breif sermone ane pregnant sentence wryte. 270 Befoir Cupide vailing his cap a lyte, Speiris the caus of that vocacioun; And he anon shew his intencioun.

'Lo!' quod Cupide, 'quha will blaspheme the name Of his awin god, outhir in word or deid, 275 To all goddis he dois baith lak and shame, And suld have bitter panis to his meid. I say this by yonder wretchit Cresseid, The quhilk throw me was sum-tyme flour of lufe, Me and my mother starkly can reprufe. 280

Saying, of hir greit infelicitè I was the caus; and my mother Venus, Ane blind goddes hir cald, that micht not see, With slander and defame injurious. Thus hir leving unclene and lecherous 285 Sho wald returne on me and [on] my mother, To quhom I shew my grace abone all uther.

And sen ye ar all sevin deificait, Participant of dévyn sapience, This greit injúry don to our hy estait 290 Me-think with pane we suld mak recompence; Was never to goddis don sic violence. As weill for yow as for myself I say; Thairfoir ga help to révenge, I yow pray.'

Mercurius to Cupid gave answeir, 295 And said, 'Shir king, my counsall is that ye Refer yow to the hyest planeit heir, And tak to him the lawest of degrè, The pane of Cresseid for to modify; As god Saturn, with him tak Cynthia.' 300 'I am content,' quod he, 'to tak thay twa.'

Than thus proceidit Saturn and the Mone, Quhen thay the mater rypely had degest; For the dispyt to Cupid sho had done, And to Venus oppin and manifest, 305 In all hir lyf with pane to be opprest And torment sair, with seiknes incurábill, And to all lovers be abominábill.

This dulefull sentence Saturn tuik on hand, And passit doun quhair cairfull Cresseid lay; 310 And on hir heid he laid ane frosty wand, Than lawfully on this wyse can he say; 'Thy greit fairnes, and al thy bewty gay, Thy wantoun blude, and eik thy goldin hair, Heir I exclude fra thee for evermair. 315

I change thy mirth into melancholy, Quhilk is the mother of all pensivenes; Thy moisture and thy heit in cald and dry; Thyne insolence, thy play and wantones To greit diseis: thy pomp and thy riches 320 In mortall neid; and greit penuritie Thow suffer sall, and as ane beggar die.'

O cruel Saturn, fraward and angry, Hard is thy dome, and to malicious! On fair Cresseid quhy hes thow na mercy, 325 Quhilk was sa sweit, gentill, and amorous? Withdraw thy sentence, and be gracious As thow was never; so shawis thow thy deid, Ane wraikfull sentence gevin on fair Cresseid.

Than Cynthia, quhen Saturn past away, 330 Out of hir sait discendit down belyve, And red ane bill on Cresseid quhair sho lay, Contening this sentence diffinityve:-- 'Fra heil of body I thee now depryve, And to thy seiknes sal be na recure, 335 But in dolóur thy dayis to indure.

Thy cristall ene minglit with blude I mak, Thy voice sa cleir unplesand, hoir, and hace; Thy lusty lyre ourspred with spottis blak, And lumpis haw appeirand in thy face. 340 Quhair thow cummis, ilk man sall flee the place; Thus sall thou go begging fra hous to hous, With cop and clapper, lyk ane lazarous.'

This dooly dream, this ugly visioun Brocht to ane end, Cresseid fra it awoik, 345 And all that court and convocatioun Vanischit away. Than rais sho up and tuik Ane poleist glas, and hir shaddow coud luik; And quhen sho saw hir face sa déformait, Gif sho in hart was wa aneuch, god wait! 350

Weiping full sair, 'Lo! quhat it is,' quod she, 'With fraward langage for to mufe and steir Our crabbit goddis, and sa is sene on me! My blaspheming now have I bocht full deir; All eirdly joy and mirth I set areir. 355 Allas, this day! Allas, this wofull tyde, Quhen I began with my goddis to chyde!'

Be this was said, ane child com fra the hall To warn Cresseid the supper was redy; First knokkit at the dure, and syne coud call-- 360 'Madame, your father biddis you cum in hy; He has mervell sa lang on grouf ye ly, And sayis, "Your prayërs been to lang sum-deill; The goddis wait all your intent full weill."'

Quod sho, 'Fair child, ga to my father deir, 365 And pray him cum to speik with me anon.' And sa he did, and said, 'Douchter, quhat cheir?' 'Allas!' quod she, 'father, my mirth is gon!' 'How sa?' quod he; and sho can all expone, As I have tauld, the vengeance and the wrak, 370 For hir trespas, Cupide on hir coud tak.

He luikit on hir ugly lipper face, The quhilk befor was quhyte as lilly-flour; Wringand his handis, oftymes he said, Allas! That he had levit to see that wofull hour! 375 For he knew weill that thair was na succour To hir seiknes; and that dowblit his pane; Thus was thair cair aneuch betwix tham twane.

Quhen thay togidder murnit had full lang, Quod Cresseid, 'Father, I wald not be kend; 380 Thairfoir in secreit wyse ye let me gang To yon hospítall at the tounis end; And thidder sum meit, for cheritie, me send To leif upon; for all mirth in this eird Is fra me gane; sik is my wikkit weird.' 385

Than in ane mantill and ane bevar hat, With cop and clapper, wonder prively, He opnit ane secreit yet, and out thairat Convoyit hir, that na man suld espy, Unto ane village half ane myle thairby; 390 Deliverit hir in at the spittail-hous, And dayly sent hir part of his almous.

Sum knew hir weill, and sum had na knawlege Of hir, becaus sho was sa déformait With bylis blak, ourspred in hir visage, 395 And hir fair colour faidit and alterait. Yit thay presumit, for hir hy regrait And still murning, sho was of nobill kin; With better will thairfoir they tuik hir in.

The day passit, and Phebus went to rest, 400 The cloudis blak ourquhelmit all the sky; God wait gif Cresseid was ane sorrowful gest, Seeing that uncouth fair and herbery. But meit or drink sho dressit hir to ly In ane dark corner of the hous allone; 405 And on this wyse, weiping, sho maid hir mone.

THE COMPLAINT OF CRESSEID.

'O sop of sorrow sonken into cair! O caytive Cresseid! now and ever-mair Gane is thy joy and all thy mirth in eird; Of all blyithnes now art thow blaiknit bair; 410 Thair is na salve may saif thee of thy sair! Fell is thy fortoun, wikkit is thy weird; Thy blis is baneist, and thy baill on breird! Under the eirth god gif I gravin wer, Quhar nane of Grece nor yit of Troy micht heird! 415

Quhair is thy chalmer, wantounly besene With burely bed, and bankouris browderit bene, Spycis and wynis to thy collatioun; The cowpis all of gold and silver shene, The swete meitis servit in plaittis clene, 420 With saipheron sals of ane gude sessoun; Thy gay garmentis, with mony gudely goun, Thy plesand lawn pinnit with goldin prene? All is areir thy greit royáll renoun!

Quhair is thy garding, with thir greissis gay 425 And fresshe flouris, quhilk the quene Floray Had paintit plesandly in every pane, Quhair thou was wont full merily in May To walk, and tak the dew be it was day, And heir the merle and mavis mony ane; 430 With ladyis fair in carrolling to gane, And see the royal rinkis in thair array In garmentis gay, garnischit on every grane?

Thy greit triumphand fame and hy honour, Quhair thou was callit of eirdly wichtis flour, 435 All is decayit; thy weird is welterit so, Thy hy estait is turnit in darknes dour! This lipper ludge tak for thy burelie bour, And for thy bed tak now ane bunch of stro. For waillit wyne and meitis thou had tho, 440 Tak mowlit breid, peirry, and syder sour; But cop and clapper, now is all ago.

My cleir voice and my courtly carrolling, Quhair I was wont with ladyis for to sing, Is rawk as ruik, full hiddeous, hoir, and hace; 445 My plesand port all utheris precelling, Of lustines I was held maist conding; Now is deformit the figour of my face; To luik on it na leid now lyking hes. Sowpit in syte, I say with sair siching-- 450 Lugeit amang the lipper-leid--"Alas!"

O ladyis fair of Troy and Grece, attend My misery, quhilk nane may comprehend, My frivoll fortoun, my infelicitie, My greit mischief, quhilk na man can amend. 455 Be war in tyme, approchis neir the end, And in your mynd ane mirrour mak of me. As I am now, peradventure that ye, For all your micht, may cum to that same end, Or ellis war, gif ony war may be. 460

Nocht is your fairnes bot ane faiding flour, Nocht is your famous laud and hy honour Bot wind inflat in uther mennis eiris; Your roising reid to rotting sall retour. Exempill mak of me in your memour, 465 Quhilk of sic thingis wofull witnes beiris. All welth in eird away as wind it weiris; Be war thairfoir; approchis neir the hour; Fortoun is fikkil, quhen sho beginnis and steiris.'--

Thus chydand with her drery desteny, 470 Weiping, sho woik the nicht fra end to end, But all in vane; hir dule, hir cairfull cry Micht nocht remeid, nor yit hir murning mend. Ane lipper-lady rais, and till hir wend, And said, 'Quhy spurnis thou aganis the wall, 475 To sla thyself, and mend na-thing at all?

Sen that thy weiping dowbillis bot thy wo, I counsall thee mak vertew of ane neid, To leir to clap thy clapper to and fro, And +live efter the law of lipper-leid.' 480 Thair was na buit, bot forth with thame sho yeid Fra place to place, quhill cauld and hounger sair Compellit hir to be ane rank beggair.

That samin tyme, of Troy the garnisoun, Quhilk had to chiftane worthy Troilus, 485 Throw jeopardy of weir had strikkin doun Knichtis of Grece in number mervellous. With greit triúmph and laud victorious Agane to Troy richt royally thay raid The way quhair Cresseid with the lipper baid. 490

Seing that company cum, all with ane stevin They gaif ane cry, and shuik coppis gude speid; Said, 'Worthy lordis, for goddis lufe of hevin, To us lipper part of your almous-deid.' Than to thair cry nobill Troilus tuik heid; 495 Having pity, neir by the place can pas Quhair Cresseid sat, nat witting quhat sho was.

Than upon him sho kest up baith her ene, And with ane blenk it com in-to his thocht That he sum-tyme hir face befoir had sene; 500 But sho was in sic ply he knew hir nocht. Yit than hir luik in-to his mind it brocht The sweit visage and amorous blenking Of fair Cresseid, sumtyme his awin darling.

Na wonder was, suppois in mynd that he 505 Tuik hir figure sa sone, and lo! now, quhy; The idole of ane thing in cace may be Sa deip imprentit in the fantasy, That it deludis the wittis outwardly, And sa appeiris in forme and lyke estait 510 Within the mynd as it was figurait.

Ane spark of lufe than till his hart coud spring, And kendlit all his body in ane fyre; With hait fevir ane sweit and trimbilling Him tuik, quhill he was redy to expyre; 515 To beir his sheild his breist began to tyre; Within ane whyle he changit mony hew, And nevertheles not ane ane-uther knew.

For knichtly pity and memoriall Of fair Cresseid, ane girdill can he tak, 520 Ane purs of gold and mony gay jowáll, And in the skirt of Cresseid doun can swak; Than raid away, and not ane word he spak, Pensive in hart, quhill he com to the toun, And for greit cair oft-syis almaist fell doun. 525

The lipper-folk to Cresseid than can draw, To see the equall distribucioun Of the almous; but quhan the gold they saw, Ilk ane to uther prevely can roun, And said, 'Yon lord hes mair affectioun, 530 However it be, unto yon lazarous Than to us all; we knaw be his almous.'

'Quhat lord is yon?' quod sho, 'have ye na feill, Hes don to us so greit humanitie?' 'Yes,' quod a lipper-man, 'I knaw him weill; 535 Shir Troilus it is, gentill and free.' Quhen Cresseid understude that it was he, Stiffer than steill thair stert ane bitter stound Throwout hir hart, and fell doun to the ground.

Quhen sho, ourcom with syching sair and sad, 540 With mony cairfull cry and cald--'Ochane! Now is my breist with stormy stoundis stad, Wrappit in wo, ane wretch full will of wane'; Than swounit sho oft or sho coud refrane, And ever in hir swouning cryit sho thus: 545 'O fals Cresseid, and trew knicht Troilus!

Thy luf, thy lawtee, and thy gentilnes I countit small in my prosperitie; Sa elevait I was in wantones, And clam upon the fickill quheill sa hie; 550 All faith and lufe, I promissit to thee, Was in the self fickill and frivolous; O fals Cresseid, and trew knicht Troilus!

For lufe of me thou keipt gude countinence, Honest and chaist in conversatioun; 555 Of all wemen protectour and defence Thou was, and helpit thair opinioun. My mynd, in fleshly foull affectioun, Was inclynit to lustis lecherous; Fy! fals Cresseid! O, trew knicht Troilus! 560

Lovers, be war, and tak gude heid about Quhom that ye lufe, for quhom ye suffer paine; I lat yow wit, thair is richt few thairout Quhom ye may traist, to have trew lufe againe; Preif quhen ye will, your labour is in vaine. 565 Thairfoir I reid ye tak thame as ye find; For they ar sad as widdercock in wind.

Becaus I knaw the greit unstabilnes Brukkil as glas, into my-self I say, Traisting in uther als greit unfaithfulnes, 570 Als unconstant, and als untrew of fay. Thocht sum be trew, I wait richt few ar thay. Quha findis treuth, lat him his lady ruse; Nane but my-self, as now, I will accuse.'

Quhen this was said, with paper sho sat doun, 575 And on this maneir maid hir TESTAMENT:-- 'Heir I beteich my corps and carioun With wormis and with taidis to be rent; My cop and clapper, and myne ornament, And all my gold, the lipper-folk sall have, 580 Quhen I am deid, to bury me in grave.

This royall ring, set with this ruby reid, Quhilk Troilus in drowry to me send, To him agane I leif it quhan I am deid, To mak my cairfull deid unto him kend. 585 Thus I conclude shortly, and mak ane end. My spreit I leif to Diane, quhair sho dwellis, To walk with hir in waist woddis and wellis.

O Diomeid! thow hes baith broche and belt Quhilk Troilus gave me in takinning 590 Of his trew lufe!'--And with that word sho swelt. And sone ane lipper-man tuik of the ring, Syne buryit hir withoutin tarying. To Troilus furthwith the ring he bair, And of Cresseid the deith he can declair. 595

Quhen he had hard hir greit infirmitè, Hir legacy and lamentatioun, And how sho endit in sik povertè, He swelt for wo, and fell doun in ane swoun; For greit sorrow his hart to birst was boun. 600 Syching full sadly, said, 'I can no moir; Sho was untrew, and wo is me thairfoir!'

Sum said, he maid ane tomb of merbell gray, And wrait hir name and superscriptioun, And laid it on hir grave, quhair that sho lay, 605 In goldin letteris, conteining this ressoun:-- 'Lo! fair ladyis, Cresseid of Troyis toun, Sumtyme countit the flour of womanheid, Under this stane, late lipper, lyis deid!'

Now, worthy wemen, in this ballet short, 610 Made for your worship and instructioun, Of cheritè I monish and exhort, Ming not your luf with fals deceptioun. Beir in your mynd this short conclusioun Of fair Cresseid, as I have said befoir; 615 Sen sho is deid, I speik of hir no moir.

_From_ E. (Edinburgh edition, 1593); _collated with_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532). 1. E. Ane; Th. A (_often_). E. doolie; Th. doly. E. to; Th. tyl. 4. E. tragedie (_I substitute_ -y _for_ -ie). 6. E. Schouris (_I substitute_ Sh- _for_ Sch-). 7. Th. my[gh]t me defende. 8. E. oratur; Th. orature. 10. Th. scyled. 16. _Both_ se. 17. Th. northern. 18. Th. shedde his. 19. Th. frost. 20. E. Artick; Th. Artike. Th. whiskyng. 21. E. remufe; Th. remoue.

24. Th. faded. 28. Th. chambre. _Both_ fyre. 29. E. lufe; Th. loue. 30. E. youtheid; Th. youthheed. 32. E. doif; Th. dull; _read_ douf. 34. E. phisike. 36. E. mend; Th. made. _Both_ fyre. Th. beaked. 37. E. ane; Th. I. 40. Th. queare. 42. E. worthy; Th. lusty. 43. Th. founde. 45. Th. of his wytte abrede. 46. Th. wepte. 48. Th. esperous; E. Esperus. 49. E. quhyle. Th. and while (_for 2nd_ quhyl). 51. E. suld; Th. wolde. 52. Th. of al erthly.

55. E. ganecome; Th. gayncome. Th. in (_for_ than). 58. Th. in that same. 63. Th. which ended. 66. Th. authorysed or forged. 67. Th. Of some; by (_for_ throw). 70. Th. she was in or she deyde. 71. _Both_ appetyte. 73. Th. sette was al his delyte. 74. Th. _om._ of. 77. Th. As (_for_ And); in the courte as co_m_mune. 78. Th. Creseyde. _Both_ floure. 79. Th. were. 80. E. feminitie. 82. Th. early (_for_ air). 84. Th. the; E. thow.

86. E. scornefull. E. brukkilnes; Th. brutelnesse. 88. E. wisdome. 91. E. wickit. 92. E. in; Th. on. _Both_ wyse destitute. 94. E. but; Th. without. Th. or refute; E. on fute. 95. E. Disagysit; Th. Dissheuelde. Th. passed out. 99. E. inquyre; Th. enquyre. 101. _Both_ desyre. 108. E. sone; Th. sonne. 109. E. hir; Th. his. Th. chambre. E. thame; Th. _om._ 110. E. aneuch in; Th. enewed. 113. _Both_ custome. 115. _Both_ sacrifice. Th. deuout.

117. Th. churche. 118. E. givin; Th. gyueng. E. pepill; Th. people. 120. Th. oratore. 122. Th. closed; dore. 124. _Both_ Cupide. 125. Th. _om._ same. _Both_ wyse. 126. E. Allace; Th. Alas. _Both_ sacrifice. 127. E. devine; Th. diuyne. 132. E. Sen; Th. Sithe. 135. E. lufe; Th. loue. E. the; Th. that. 136. Th. vnderstande alway. 137. E. lufe; Th. loue. 138. Th. souple grace. 139. E. allace; Th. alas. Th. frost. 140. Th. louers; -layne. 143. Th. herde. 144. _Both_ Cupide. E. ringand; Th. tynkyng. 145. Th. in-to. 147. Th. speres.

150. Th. course. 151. _Both_ Saturne. 152. _Both_ Cupide. 153. Th. boystous. E. on; Th. in. 154. _Both_ Come. E. crabitlie; Th. crabbedly. Th. austryne. 155. E. frosnit (_for_ fronsit); Th. frounsed. E. lyre; Th. lere. _Both_ lyke. 156. Th. sheuered. 157. Th. drouped hole. 158. E. of; Th. at. Th. myldrop. 159. Th. blo. 160. E. ic-eschoklis; Th. yse-yckels. 162. E. Atouir; Th. Attour. 163. E. ovirfret; Th. ouerfret; _read_ ourfret. 164. Th. garment. E. gyis; Th. gate; _see_ l. 178. 165. Th. wyddred; wore. 166. Th. boustous; bor[e]. 167. E. gyrdill. Th. a fasshe(!); flayns. 168. Th. holstayns (!). 170. Th. sterres. 171. Th. norice; thinge. 172. _Both_ Saturne. 173. Th. burly. 174. Th. wonders. 175. E. bene; Th. ben.

177. E. wyre; Th. wyer. Th. glyttryng. 178. Th. garment. E. gyis; Th. gyte. 180. Th. A burly; myddle he beare. 182. Th. wrathe. E. weir; Th. bere. 183. E. come; Th. came. 184. E. strife; Th. stryfe. 185. _Both_ fyre. 186. Th. hewmo_n_de. 187. Th. fauchoun. 190. Th. Shakyng his brande. _Both_ come. 191. Th. glowyng. 192. E. bullar; Th. blubber. 193. Th. boore. 194. E. tuilyeour; Th. tulsure (!). _Both_ lyke. 195. _Both_ horne; Th. _om._ he. Th. boustous. 196. E. weir; Th. warre. 199. Th. norice. 201. _Both_ lyfe. Th. erthly. 203. Th. _om._ all. Th. that al this worlde hath. 204. Th. a chare. 205. Th. Phiton somtyme gyded. E. upricht (!); Th. unright.

210. Th. speres. 211. Th. sorde (_for_ soyr). 212. _Both_ Eoye. 213. Th. Ethose. 215. Th. Perose; and eke. 216. E. Philologie; Th. Philologee. 218. E. _om._ gay. 219. Th. _om._ for. 222. Th. kembet. 224. Th. While parfite. E. perfyte. 227. E. suddanely; Th. sodaynly. 228. E. vennemous; Th. venomous. 232. Th. tokenyng. 237. E. blyith; Th. blyth. 238. Th. wyddred.

239. _Both_ come. 242. E. reddie; Th. redy. 244. E. atouir; Th. attour. 245. _Both_ Lyke. 250. E. phisick. Th. cledde in a scarlet. 252. E. culd lie; Th. couth lye. 253. _Both_ come. 254. Th. spere. 256. Th. tapere. 258. E. hir (1); Th. the. 260. E. gyse; Th. gyte. 261. E. churle; Th. chorle. 262. E. bunche; Th. busshe. 263. Th. theft; no ner. 264. Th. gadred were the. 267. E. bene. 269. E. rhetorick; Th. rethorike. E. prettick; Th. practyke.

273. E. anone. E. schew; Th. shewde. 276. E. lak; Th. losse. 278. E. yone; Th. yonder. Th. wretche Creseyde. 280. E. starklie; Th. she stately. 281. E. -tie. 283. Th. She called a blynde goddes and myght. 286. E. returne; Th. retorte. E. on; Th. in. _I supply 2nd_ on. 287. E. schew; Th. shewde (_as in_ l. 273). Th. aboue. 289. E. devyne; Th. diuyne. 290. E. iniurie; Th. iniure. _Both_ done. 290. E. hie; Th. hye. 292. _Both_ goddes done. 295. _Both_ Cupide. 299. E. modifie; Th. modifye. 300. _Both_ Saturne.

303, 309, 323, 330. _Both_ Saturne. 304. _Both_ Cupide. E. scho; Th. that she. 305. Th. open. 306. _Both_ lyfe. 308. E. abhominabill; Th. abhominable. 309. Th. doleful. 318. E. in; Th. into. 319. E. and; Th. and thy. 321. E. In; Th. Into. E. penuritie; Th. -te. 322. Th. shalte. Th. dye. 324. E. malitious. 325. E. On; Th. Of. 328. Th. sheweth through. 329. Th. _om._ fair. 331. Th. seate.

334. E. heit; Th. heale. 336. Th. endure. 338. Th. vnplesaunt heer. 339. Th. lere. E. ouirspred; Th. ouerspred. 342. E. This; Th. Thus. 343. Th. cuppe. _Both_ lyke. 344. _Both_ dreame. E. uglye. 347. Th. rose she. 348. Th. polysshed. E. culd; Th. couth. 349. E. face; Th. visage. 350. Th. were wo, I ne wyte god wate. 352. Th. _om._ for. E. mufe; Th. moue. 353. E. craibit; Th. crabbed. 355. Th. erthly. 356. E. Allace; Th. Alas. 357. E. for to; Th. _om._ for. 358. E. come; Th. came. 359. _Both_ warne. Th. Creseyde. E. reddy; Th. redy. 360. E. syne culd; Th. efte couth. 362. E. merwel; Th. marueyle. 363. E. prayers bene; Th. bedes bethe.

365. _Both_ chylde. 366. _Both_ anone. 368. _Both_ gone. 370. E. wraik; Th. wrake. 371. E. culd. 372. E. uglye. Th. lepers. 374. Th. _om._ he. 378. Th. ynow. E. thame; Th. he_m_. 380. Th. Creseyde. 382. Th. To yon; E. Unto yone. 383. Th. charite. 384. Th. lyue; erthe. 385. Th. werthe(!). 386. E. Than; Th. Whan(!). Th. Beuer; E. bawar. 387. Th. cuppe. 388. Th. secrete gate. 389. Th. Conueyed. 390. Th. There to. 393. E. knawledge. 395. E. ovirspred; Th. ouerspred.

397. E. hie; Th. hye. 399. Th. there (_for_ thairfoir). 401. E. ovirquhelmit; Th. ouerheled. 402. E. was; Th. were. 403. Th. fare. 405, 406. _Perhaps read_ alane, mane. 408. E. cative; Th. caytife. E. for now; Th. _om._ for. 409. Th. erthe. 410. Th. blake and bare. 411. Th. helpe (_for_ saif thee of). 412. Th. werthe (!). 413. Th. bale vnberd (!). 414. Th. Vnder the great god. 415. Th. men (_for_ nane). Th. herd. 416. Th. chambre. 417. Th. burly; bankers brouded. 418. Th. wyne. 419. Th. cuppes. 420. Th. plates. 421. Th. sauery sauce. 423. Th. pene (!). 424. Th. arere.

425. Th. thy greces. 430. E. mawis. 432. Th. renkes. E. array; Th. ray. Th. _omits_ ll. 433-437. 434, 437. E. hie. 438. Th. leper loge. E. burelie; Th. goodly. 439. E. bunche; Th. bonch. 441. E. peirrie; Th. pirate. E. ceder; Th. syder. 442. Th. cuppe. 443. E. _om._ my. 444. Th. _om. this line_. 445. Th. ranke as roke, ful hidous heer. Th. _om._ ll. 446, 447. 448. Th. Deformed is. 449. Th. no pleople (_sic_) hath lykyng (!). 450. Th. Solped in syght. 451. E. Ludgeit; Th. Lyeng. Th. leper folke. E. allace; Th. alas. 453. Th. _omits_. 454. Th. freyle fortune.

455. Th. war therfore; your ende. 456. Th. _places after_ l. 460. 459. E. that; Th. the. 460. Th. worse, if any worse. 464. Th. rosyng. 465. Th. memore. 468. Th. your hour. 469. Th. _omits_. 471. Th. woke. 472. Th. dole. 473. Th. remedy ne. 474. Th. rose. 477. E. Sen; Th. Sithe. E. _om._ that. Th. but doubleth. 479. E. To leir; Th. Go lerne. 480. E. leir; Th. lerne; _read_ live. Th. lepers lede. 486. Th. warre.

488. _Both_ tryumphe; laude. 489. Th. rode. 490. E. baid; Th. stode. 491. E. thai come; Th. come; _read_ cum. 492. Th. shoke cuppes. 493. Th. _om._ Said. 495. Th. her (_for_ thair). 496. Th. pyte; E. pietie. 499. _Both_ come. 501. E. plye; Th. plyte. 502. E. it; Th. he. 504. E. awin; Th. owne. 508. Th. enprynted. 512. E. culd; Th. couth. 514. E. fewir; Th. feuer. Th. in swette. _Both_ trimbling. 515. E. reddie. 516. Th. brest. 517. Th. many a hewe.

519. Th. pyte; E. pietie. 520. Th. gan. 521. Th. many a gay iewel. 522. E. swak; Th. shake. 523. E. _om._ he. 524. E. come; Th. came. 525. E. -syis; Th. -syth. 526. E. can; Th. couth. 527. _Both_ se. 529. E. prewelie; Th. priuely. 530. Th. yon; E. yone. 534. Th. That dothe. E. humanitie; Th. -te. 536. Th. _ins._ a knight _after_ is. 540. E. ovircome; Th. ouerco_m_e. 541. Th. colde atone (!). 542. Th. brest. 543. Th. _om._ ane; Th. one (_for_ wane). 544. Th. Than fel in swoun ful ofte. E. culd; Th. wolde. Th. fone (!); _for_ refrane. 547. E. lufe; Th. loue. Th. laude and al thy. 549. Th. So effated (_or_ essated).

551. Th. promytted. 552. Th. thy selfe; furious (!). 554. Th. countenaunce (_om._ gude). 557. Th. were. 558. E. in; Th. on. 562. E. Quhome; Th. Whom. E. quhome; Th. whan. 563. Th. thrughout. 565. Th. Proue. 569. Th. Brittel; unto. 570. Th. great brutelnesse. 572. Th. Though. 576. Th. maner. 577. E. beteiche; Th. bequeth. Th. corse. 578. Th. toodes. 579. Th. cuppe my. 580. E. the; Th. these.

583. E. drowrie; Th. dowry (!). 587. Th. spirite. 590. E. takning; Th. tokenyng; _read_ takinning. 593. E. withouttin. 596. E. infirmitie; Th. -te. 598. E. povertie; Th. -te. 600. Th. _om._ greit. 605. Th. where as she. 607. Th. Troy the toun. 612. E. cheritie; Th. charyte. 613. E. lufe; Th. loue. 614. E. schort; Th. sore (!). 616. E. Sen; Th. Sithe.

* * * * *

XVIII.

THE CUCKOO AND THE NIGHTINGALE;

OR

THE BOOK OF CUPID, GOD OF LOVE.

The god of love, a! _benedicite!_ How mighty and how greet a lord is he! For he can make of lowe hertes hye, And of hye lowe, and lyke for to dye, And harde hertes he can maken free. 5

And he can make, within a litel stounde Of seke folk ful hole, fresshe and sounde, And of [the] hole, he can make seke; And he can binden and unbinden eke What he wol have bounden or unbounde. 10

To telle his might my wit may not suffyse; For he may do al that he wol devyse. For he can make of wyse folk ful nyce, And [eke] in lyther folk distroyen vyce; And proude hertes he can make agryse. 15

Shortly, al that ever he wol he may; Ageines him ther dar no wight sey nay. For he can gladde and greve whom him lyketh; And, who that he wol, he laugheth or he syketh; And most his might he sheweth ever in May. 20

For every trewe gentil herte free That with him is, or thinketh for to be, Ageines May now shal have som steringe Other to joye, or elles to morninge, In no sesoun so greet, as thinketh me. 25

For whan they mowe here the briddes singe, And see the floures and the leves springe, That bringeth into hertes rémembraunce A maner ese, medled with grevaunce, And lusty thoughtes fulle of greet longinge. 30

And of that longing cometh hevinesse, And therof groweth ofte greet seknesse, And al for lak of that that they desyre; And thus in May ben hertes sette on fyre, So that they brennen forth in greet distresse. 35

I speke this of feling, trewely; For, althogh I be old and unlusty, Yet have I felt of that seknesse, in May, Bothe hoot and cold, an acces every day, How sore, y-wis, ther wot no wight but I. 40

I am so shaken with the fevers whyte, Of al this May yet slepte I but a lyte; And also it naught lyketh unto me, That any herte shulde slepy be In whom that Love his fyry dart wol smyte. 45

But as I lay this other night wakinge, I thoghte how lovers had a tokeninge, And among hem it was a comune tale, That it were good to here the nightingale Rather than the lewde cukkow singe. 50

And then I thoghte, anon as it was day, I wolde go som whider to assay If that I might a nightingalë here; For yet had I non herd of al this yere, And hit was tho the thridde night of May. 55

And than, anon as I the day espyde, No lenger wolde I in my bedde abyde, But unto a wode, that was faste by, I wente forth alone, boldely, And held my way doun by a broke-syde, 60

Til I com to a launde of whyte and grene; So fair oon had I never in[ne] been; The ground was grene, y-poudred with daisye, The floures and the gras y-lyke hye, Al grene and whyte; was nothing elles sene. 65

Ther sat I doun among the faire floures; And saw the briddes trippe out of her boures Ther-as they had hem rested al the night. They were so joyful of the dayes light That they +begonne of May to don hir houres! 70

They coude that servyce al by rote; Ther was many a lovely straunge note; Some songe loudë, as they hadde pleyned, And some in other maner vois y-feyned, And some al out, with al the fulle throte. 75

They proyned hem, and made[n] hem right gay, And daunseden, and lepten on the spray, And evermore two and two in-fere; Right so as they had chosen hem to-yere In Feverere, on seint Valentynes day. 80

And eke the river, that I sat upon, It made suche a noise, as it ron, Accordaunt with the briddes armonye, Me thoughte, it was the best[e] melodye That mighte been y-herd of any mon. 85

And for delyt ther-of, I wot never how, I fel in suche a slomber and a swow, Not al a-slepe, ne fully wakinge; And in that swow me thoughte I herde singe That sory brid, the lew[e]de cukkow. 90

And that was on a tree right fast[e] by; But who was than evel apayd but I? 'Now god,' quod I, 'that dyëd on the crois Yeve sorow on thee, and on thy lewde vois! For litel joye have I now of thy cry.' 95

And as I with the cukkow thus gan chyde, I herde, in the nexte bush besyde, A Nightingalë so lustily singe That with her clere vois she made ringe Through-out al the grene wode wyde. 100

'A! goode Nightingale!' quod I thenne, 'A litel hast thou been to longe henne; For here hath been the lew[e]de Cukkow, And songen songes rather than hast thou; I pray to god that evel fyr him brenne!' 105

But now I wol you telle a wonder thing: As longë as I lay in that swowning, Me thoughte, I wiste what the briddes ment, And what they seyde, and what was her entent, And of her speche I hadde good knowing. 110

And than herde I the Nightingale say, 'Now, gode Cukkow! go som-where away, And let us that can singen dwellen here; For every wight escheweth thee to here, Thy songes be so elenge, in good fay!' 115

'What?' quod he, 'what may thee eylen now? It thinketh me, I singe as wel as thou, For my song is bothe trewe and playn; Al-though I can not crakel so in vayn As thou dost in thy throte, I wot never how. 120

And every wight may understande me; But, Nightingale, so may they not do thee; For thou hast many a nyce queinte cry. I have herd thee seyn, "_ocy! ocy!_" How mighte I knowe what that shulde be?' 125

'A fole!' quod she, 'wost thou not what it is? Whan that I say "_ocy! ocy!_" y-wis, Than mene I that I wolde, wonder fayn, That alle they were shamfully y-slayn That menen aught ayeines love amis. 130

And also I wolde alle tho were dede That thenke not in love hir lyf to lede; For who that wol the god of love not serve, I dar wel say, is worthy for to sterve; And for that skil "_ocy! ocy!_" I grede.' 135

'Ey!' quod the Cukkow, 'this is a queint lawe, That every wight shal love or be to-drawe! But I forsake al suchë companye. For myn entent is neither for to dye, Ne, whyl I live, in loves yok to drawe. 140

For lovers ben the folk that been on-lyve That most disesë han, and most unthryve, And, most enduren sorow, wo, and care; And, at the laste, failen of welfare; What nedeth hit ayeines trouth to stryve?' 145

'What?' quod she, 'thou art out of thy minde! How might thou in thy cherles herte finde To speke of loves servaunts in this wyse? For in this worlde is noon so good servyse To every wight that gentil is of kinde. 150

For ther-of, trewly, cometh al goodnesse, Al honóur, and [eke] al gentilnesse, Worship, esë, and al hertes lust, Parfit joye, and ful assured trust, Jolitee, plesauncë, and freshnesse, 155

Lowliheed, and trewe companye, Seemliheed, largesse, and curtesye, Drede of shame for to doon amis; For he that trewly Loves servaunt is Were lother to be shamed than to dye. 160

And that this is sooth, al that I seye, In that beleve I wol bothe live and deye, And Cukkow, so rede I thou do, y-wis.' 'Ye, than,' quod he, 'god let me never have blis If ever I to that counseyl obeye! 165

Nightingale, thou spekest wonder fayre, But, for al that, the sooth is the contrayre; For loving is, in yonge folk, but rage, And in olde folk hit is a greet dotage; Who most hit useth, most he shal apeyre. 170

For therof comth disese and hevinesse, Sorowe and care, and mony a greet seknesse, Dispyt, debat, [and] anger, and envye, Repreef and shame, untrust and jelousye, Pryde and mischeef, povértee, and woodnesse. 175

What! Loving is an office of dispayr, And oo thing is ther-in that is not fayr; For who that geteth of love a litel blis, But-if he be alway therwith, y-wis, He may ful sone of age have his heyr. 180

And, Nightingale, therfor hold thee ny; For, leve me wel, for al thy queynte cry, If thou be fer or longe fro thy make, Thou shalt be as other that been forsake, And than[ne] thou shalt hoten as do I!' 185

'Fy!' quod she, 'on thy namë and on thee! The god of love ne let thee never y-thee! For thou art wors a thousand-fold than wood. For many on is ful worthy and ful good, That had be naught, ne hadde love y-be! 190

For Love his servaunts ever-more amendeth, And from al evel taches hem defendeth, And maketh hem to brenne right as fyr In trouthë and in worshipful desyr, And, whom him liketh, joye y-nough hem sendeth.' 195

'Thou Nightingale,' he seyde, 'hold thee stille; For Love hath no resoun but his wille; For ofte sithe untrewe folk he eseth, And trewe folk so bitterly displeseth That, for defaute of grace, he let hem spille. 200

With such a lorde wol I never be; For he is blind alwey, and may not see; And whom he hit he not, or whom he fayleth; And in his court ful selden trouthe avayleth; Só dyvérs and so wilfúl is he.' 205

Than took I of the Nightingale kepe, She caste a sigh out of her herte depe, And seyde, 'Alas! that ever I was bore! I can, for tene, say not oon word more;' And right with that she brast out for to wepe. 210

'Alas!' quod she, 'my herte wol to-breke To heren thus this false brid to speke Of love, and of his worshipful servyse; Now, god of love, thou help me in som wyse That I may on this Cukkow been awreke!' 215

Me thoughte than, that I sterte up anon, And to the broke I ran, and gat a stoon, And at the Cukkow hertely I caste; And he, for drede, fley away ful faste; And glad was I when that he was a-goon. 220

And evermore the Cukkow, as he fley, He seyde, 'Farewel! farewel, papinjay!' As though he hadde scorned, thoughte me; But ay I hunted him fro tree to tree Til he was fer al out of sighte awey. 225

And thanne com the Nightingale to me, And seyde, 'Frend, forsothe I thanke thee That thou hast lyked me thus to rescowe; And oon avow to Love I wol avowe, That al this May I wol thy singer be.' 230

I thanked her, and was right wel apayed; 'Ye,' quod she, 'and be thou not amayed, Though thou have herd the Cukkow er than me. For, if I live, it shal amended be The nexte May, if I be not affrayed. 235

And oon thing I wol rede thee also; Ne leve thou not the Cukkow, loves fo; For al that he hath seyd is strong lesinge.' 'Nay,' quod I, 'therto shal no thing me bringe Fro love; and yet he doth me mochel wo.' 240

'Ye, use thou,' quod she, 'this medicyne; Every day this May, or that thou dyne, Go loke upon the fresshe dayësyë. And though thou be for wo in poynt to dye, That shal ful gretly lissen thee of thy pyne. 245

And loke alwey that thou be good and trewe, And I wol singe oon of my songes newe, For love of thee, as loude as I may crye;' And than[ne] she began this song ful hye-- 'I shrewe al hem that been of love untrewe!' 250

And whan she hadde songe hit to the ende, 'Nów farewel,' quod she, 'for I mot wende; And god of love, that can right wel and may, As mochel joye sende thee this day As ever yet he any lover sende!' 255

Thus took the Nightingale her leve of me. I pray to god, he alway with her be, And joye of love he sende her evermore; And shilde us fro the Cukkow and his lore; For ther is noon so fals a brid as he. 260

Forth she fley, the gentil Nightingale, To al the briddes that were in that dale, And gat hem alle into a place in-fere, And +hem besoughte that they woldë here Her disese; and thus began her tale:-- 265

'Ye witen wel, it is not fro yow hid How the Cukkow and I faste have chid Ever sithen it was dayes light; I pray yow alle, that ye do me right Of that foule, false, unkinde brid.' 270

Than spak oo brid for alle, by oon assent, 'This mater asketh good avysement; For we ben fewe briddes here in-fere. And sooth it is, the Cukkow is not here; And therefor we wol have a parlement. 275

And therat shal the Egle be our lord, And other peres that ben of record, And the Cukkow shal be after sent. And ther shal be yeven the jugement, Or elles we shal make som accord. 280

And this shal be, withouten any nay, The morow of seynt Valentynes day, Under a maple that is fayr and grene, Before the chambre-window of the quene At Wodestok, upon the grene lay.' 285

She thanked hem, and than her leve took, And fley into an hawthorn by the brook, And ther she sat, and song upon that tree, 'Terme of [my] lyf, Love hath with-holde me,' So loude, that I with that song awook. 290

EXPLICIT CLANVOWE.

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); _collated with_ F. (Fairfax 16); B. (Bodley 638); S. (Arch. Selden, B. 24); T. (Tanner 346); _also in_ Ff. (Camb. Univ. Ff. 1. 6). TITLE: Th. Of the C. and the N.; F. B. The boke of Cupide, god of loue. 1. Th. ah; F. a; S. a. a. 2. Th. Howe; gret; lorde. 4. Th. of his; Ff. S. of hye; F. B. high hertis. 6. F. B. S. Ff. And he; Th. _om._ And. 7. Th. folke; _om._ ful. 8. _I supply_ the. S. hole folke. 9. S. And he; _rest om._ And. Th. F. B. bynde; _read_ binden. 10. Th. T. That; F. B. Ff. What; S. Quhom. 11. Th. tel; wytte. 12, 13. Th. T. _transpose these lines_. 12. Th. Ff. wol; _rest_ can. 13. Th. folke. 14. _I supply_ eke. Th. T. _om._ in (S. _has_ in-to). F. lyther; S. lidd_er_; Th. Ff. lythy; T. leþi. Th. folke. Th. T. to distroyen; _rest om._ to.

17. Ff. T. Ageynes; S. Ageynest; Th. Agaynst; F. B. Ayenst. Th. Ff. T. _om._ ther. 18. Th. glad; _rest_ glade. 19. Th. loweth. S. _has 2nd_ he; _rest omit_. F. B. don hym laugh or siketh. 20. Th. T. shedeth. 21. Th. fre. 22. F. B. _om._ for. 23. S. Ff. A[gh]eynes; F. B. Ayenst; Th. T. Agayne. Th. nowe. 24. F. B. Other; S. Outhir; Th. T. Ff. Or. Th. ioy. F. B. S. T. ellis; Th. els. Th. T. Ff. some mournyng; _rest om._ some. 25. F. B. grette; Ff. S. grete; Th. moche. 26. F. then; _rest_ whan (when). Th. may; T. mai; F. B. S. mow; Ff. mowe. Th. byrdes; S. foulis; _rest_ briddes. 27. Th. leaues. 28. Th. T. her (_for_ hertes). 29. Th. T. ease; S. ess; F. B. case (!). Ff. y-medled. 30. Th. ful; Ff. fulle. Th. great. 32. Th. great sicknesse. 33. S. all; _rest om._ Th. lacke. 35. Th. forthe; great. 36. S. trewely; Th. trewly. 37. F. B. S. For althogh; Th. T. If(!). Th. olde. 38. Th. T. I haue; _rest_ haue I. Th. felte; sicknesse. Th. Ff. through; _rest_ in. 39. _All_ hote. Th. F. B. colde. Th. T. and (!); _for_ an. Th. axes; F. B. acces. 40. Th. Howe; wote.

42. Th. T. _om._ yet; (Ff. _has_ ne.) Th. T. slepe; Ff. S. slepte; F. B. slept. 43. S. naught likith vnto me; Th. T. Ff. is not lyke to me; F. B. is vnlike for to be. 45. Th. darte. 47. Th. howe. 48. Th. amonge. 50. Th. cuckowe. 51. Th. thought. 52. T. Ff. whider; S. quhid_er_; F. B. whedir; Th. where. 54. Th. none herde. F. B. T. this; Ff. the; Th. S. that. 55. S. thridde; T. thridd; Th. F. B. thirde. 56. S. than; _rest om._ Th. aspyde. 58. Ff. to; Th. T. vnto; F. B. into; S. in. Th. wodde; F. B. wode. 59. Th. T. went; F. B. wente. Th. forthe. Th. boldely; Ff. T. boldly; _rest_ priuely. 60. Th. helde. F. B. S. my; Th. Ff. the; T. me the. Th. downe. 61. F. B. come; S. cam; Th. T. came (_read_ com). 62. _All_ in; _read_ inne. S. _has_ in y-ben. 63, 64. B. _transposes_. 64. F. B. gras; S. greses; Th. greues; T. Ff. grenes. S. ylike; F. B. al I-like; Th. T. Ff. lyke. 65. Th. els.

66. Th. sate; downe. 67. Th. sawe; birdes. Th. trippe; T. trip; S. flee; F. B. crepe. 68. Th. T. Ff. _om._ had. S. thame rested; _rest_ rested hem. 70. Th. T. _om._ That. _All_ began; _read_ begonne. Ff. to don hir; Th. T. for to done. F. B. of Mayes ben her houres (!); S. on mayes vss thair houres. 72. S. lusty (_for_ lovely). S. straunge; _rest om._ 73. Ff. lowe. T. hade; _rest_ had. S. compleyned. 74. Th. voice yfayned. 75. Ff. S. all (2); _rest om._ Th. Ff. T. the ful; S. full_e_; F. B. a lowde. 76. F. B. pruned. _All_ made; _read_ maden. 80. Th. Feuerere; T. Feuir[gh]ere; _rest_ Marche (!). _All_ upon; _read_ on. 81. S. eke; _rest om._ 83. Th. T. with; _rest_ to. T. Ff. briddes; S. birdis; Th. byrdes; F. B. foules. S. T. Ff. armonye; Th. armony; F. B. ermonye. 84. Th. thought. _All_ best (!). 85. Th. myght; yherde. 86. _All_ delyte. S. therof; _rest om._ Th. wotte; F. B. note; S. wote; T. wot. F. B. ner (_for_ never). Th. howe. 87. Th. swowe; Ff. swough; S. slowe (!); B. slow (!). 88. F. B. S. on slepe. 89. Th. swowe; thought. 90. F. B. Ff. That; _rest_ the. F. B. Ff. bridde; S. T. brid; Th. byrde. Th. Cuckowe.

91. _All_ fast. 92. Th. yuel apayde. 93. Th. Nowe. F. B. vpon (_for_ on). 94. Th. the. 95. Th. nowe. 96. Th. cuckowe. Th. T. thus gan; Ff. now gan; S. gan to; F. B. gan. 97. Th. B. busshe; Ff. T. bussh; F. busshes (!); S. beugh. F. B. me beside. 100. Th. T. Ff. _om._ out. Ff. the greues of the wode (_better_). 101. Th. Ah. Ff. S. thenne; T. thanne; _rest_ then. 102. Th. haste. Ff. S. T. henne; _rest_ hen. 103. F. B. lewde; S. lewed; T. Ff. loude (!). (_The line runs badly._) 104. F. B. _om._ hast. 105. Th. T. _om._ that. Th. yuel fyre. Th. S. her; _rest_ him. Th. bren; _rest_ brenne. 106. Th. nowe; tel. 107. Th. laye. (_The line runs badly; read_ longë _or_ swowening.) 108. Th. thought; wyst. Th. T. what; _rest_ al that. 109. Th. sayd. 110. T. hade; _rest_ had. 111. Th. _om._ And. Th. T. there (_for_ than). 112. Th. Nowe good. 113. Th. lette. 114. Th. the.

116. F. B. she (_for_ he). Th. the. 118. Th. songe; playne. 119. Th. T. And though; _rest_ Al-though. Th. crakel; T. crakil; S. crekill; Ff. crake; F. B. breke hit (!). Th. vayne. 120. Th. doest; S. dois; _rest_ dost. Th. Ff. S. neuer; T. not; F. B. ner. 122. Th. done; T. S. Ff. do; F. B. _om._ Th. the. 123. Th. haste. Th. T. Ff. nyce queynt(e); S. queynt feyned; F. B. queint. 124. F. B. S. herd the; T. the herd; Th. the herde. Th. sayne; T. seyn; F. B. seye; S. sing. 125. Th. Howe. F. B. Who myghte wete what; S. Bot quho my_ch_t vnderstand quhat. 126. Th. Ah; Ff. T. A; _rest_ O. Th. foole; woste. Th. T. Ff. it; _rest_ that. 128. Th. meane; fayne. 129. Ff. all_e_; S. all; _rest_ al. Th. T. Ff. they; _rest_ tho. Th. yslayne. 130. Th. meanen. S. a[gh]eines; F. B. ayen; T. again; Th. agayne. 131. F. B. al tho were dede; Th. T. Ff. that al tho had the dede. S. And al they I wold also were dede. 132. Th. thynke; T. think; S. thinkith; Ff. thenke; F. B. thenk. F. B. S. Ff. her lyue in loue. 133. Th. S. who so; _rest om._ so. Th. T. Ff. _place_ not _after_ wol. 134. Th. T. F. B. Ff. he is; S. _om._ he. Th. Ff. T. _om._ for. 136. Th. Eye; cuckowe. F. B. _insert_ ywis _before_ this. 137. Th. T. Ff. That euery wight shal loue or be to-drawe; F. B. That eyther I shal love or elles be slawe. 139. Th. myne. F. B. neyther; S. nouthir; Th. T. Ff. not. 140. Th. T. Ff. Ne neuer; _rest om._ neuer. Th. T. on; _rest_ in.

141. Th. S. ben; Ff. T. bene; F. B. lyven (_for_ been). 142. Th. moste (_twice_); disease. 143. Th. moste. F. B. S. enduren; Th. Ff. T. endure. 144. _So_ F. B. (_with_ of her _for_ of); Th. T. Ff. And leste felen of welfare; S. And ald_er_last have felyng of welefare. 145. S. a[gh]eynes; Th. B. ayenst; F. T. ayens. 146. S. Quhat brid q_uo_d. Th. arte. 147. Th. T. Ff. might thou; F. maist thou; B. S. maistow. Th. Ff. churlnesse; T. clerenes (!); F. B. cherles hert; S. cherlish hert. 148. Th. seruauntes. 149. Th. none. 152. S. Honestee estate and all gentilness; Th. T. F. Ff. Al honour and al gentylnesse; B. Al honour and al gentillesse. 153. Th. ease. 154. Th. Parfyte. F. B. ensured. 155. S. and eke. 156, 157. _All but the first words transposed in_ Th. T. 158. F. B. S. and for; Th. T. Ff. _om._ and. Th. done. 160. Th. T. Ff. _om. 1st_ to. 161. F. B. Ff. _om._ this. F. B. S. al; Th. T. Ff. _om._ 162. Th. T. _om._ bothe. 163. F. B. S. rede I; Th. T. Ff. I rede. Th. that thou. 164. Th. T. Ff. _om._ Ye. F. B. she; _rest_ he. Th. T. _om._ god. 165. Th. T. vnto; F. B. Ff. S. to. F. B. thy (_for_ that).

167. F. B. the sothe; S. full sooth. Th. T. Ff. is the sothe contrayre. 168. F. B. S. Ff. loving; Th. T. loue. Th. folke. 169. Th. folke; F. B. Ff. _om._ F. B. hit is; Th. T. _om._ Th. great. 170. Th. moste (_twice_). F. B. he; S. it; Th. T. Ff. _om._ 171. F. mony an; B. mony a; Th. T. S. Ff. disease and. 172. Th. So sorowe; _rest om._ So. Th. many a gret. F. B. _om._ greet. 173. Th. Dispyte debate. _I supply_ and. 174. F. Repreve and; B. Repreff and; S. Repref and; Th. T. Deprauyng. 175. Th. T. B. Ff. _om. 1st_ and. Th. mischefe. S. pou_er_tee; Ff. pouerte; _rest_ pouert. 176. Th. T. Ff. _om._ What. Th. dispayre. 177. B. T. oo; S. o; F. oon; Th. one. Th. fayre. 178. Th. getteth; S. get (_better_). Th. blysse. 179. F. B. _om._ if. F. B. S. Ff. therby. 180. Th. heyre; T. eyre; S. aire; F. B. crie (!); Ff. heiere. 181. F. B. therfor Nyghtyngale. Th. therefore holde the nye. 182. Th. Ff. T. S. queynt; F. B. loude. 183. Th. T. Ff. ferre. F. of (_for_ or). 184. Th. T. S. ben; F. B. be (_read_ been). 185. Th. Ff. than; F. B. T. then (_read_ thanne); S. _om._ F. B. shalt thou. 186. Th. the. 188. Th. T. worse. Th. folde. 189. Th. one; Ff. on; F. B. _om._ S. ar; _rest_ is. 190. T. hade (_twice_); _rest_ had.

191. Th. T. Ff. _put_ evermore _after_ For. Th. seruauntes; F. B. seruant. 192. Ff. T. euel; S. euell; Th. yuel; F. B. _om._ F. tachches; S. stachis (!). F. B. him. 193. F. B. him. F. B. as eny; T. right as a; Ff. right as; Th. right in a. S. be brynnyng as a. Th. fyre. 195. Th. whan; T. when; Ff. whanne (_for_ whom). F. B. Ff. him; S. he; Th. T. hem. Th. ioy. 196. F. B. Ye (_for_ Thou). Th. sayd. T. F. B. S. Ff. hold the; Th. be. Th. styl. 197. F. B. S. Ff. his; Th. T. it is. Th. wyl. 198. F. B. Ff. sithe; Th. T. tyme; S. tymes. Th. folke; easeth. 199. Th. folke. Th. T. Ff. he displeaseth; _rest om._ he. 200. F. B. And (_for_ That). Th. corage; _rest_ grace. Th. spyl. 201-205. _From_ F. B. Ff. S.; Th. T. _omit_. 201. Ff. will_e_; F. wolde; B. wull; S. wole. 202. F. B. blynde; S. blynd. S. alweye; F. B. Ff. _om._ 203. Ff. And whom he hit he not, or whom he failith (_best_); F. B. And whan he lyeth he not, ne whan he fayleth; S. Quhom he hurtith he note, ne quhom he helith (!). 204. _So_ Ff.; F. B. In; S. Into. Ff. S. his; F. B. this. F. B. selde. 205. F. B. dyuerse. 206. Th. toke. 207. Th. T. Howe she; F. B. S. _om._ Howe. Th. T. Ff. _om._ herte. 208. Th. sayd. 209. Th. not say one; T. nou[gh]t sey oo. 210. Th. that worde; _rest om._ worde. F. B. on (_for_ out). Th. _om._ for. 212. Th. leude; Ff. false; _rest_ fals. T. B. brid; Ff. bridde; Th. byrde; S. bird. F. B. Ff. to; _rest om._ 214. Th. helpe; some. 215. Th. cuckowe ben.

216. S. thocht; _rest_ thought (_read_ thoughte). F. B. S. that I; T. Ff. I; Th. he. 217-219. Th. T. _omit_. 217. S. gat; F. B. gatte. 218. S. hardily; F. B. Ff. hertly. 219. Ff. flye[gh]; F. flyed; B. flye; S. gan flee (_read_ fley, _as in_ 221). 220. Th. _om._ when. Th. agon; T. S. agone; Ff. goon; F. gone; B. gon. 221. F. B. fley; Th. flaye; Ff. S. flay; T. flai. 222. Th. T. _om._ He. Th. sayd. Th. popyngaye; F. B. papyngay; S. papaIay; Ff. papeiay. 223. T. hade; _rest_ had. F. B. Ff. thoght me; S. as thocht me (_read_ thoughte me); Th. me alone (_to rime with_ 217). 224, 225. Th. T. _omit_. 225. F. B. Ff. sight away. 226. Th. S. than; F. B. T. then; Ff. thanne. F. B. T. S. come; Th. Ff. came. 227. F. B. seyde; Th. sayd. Th. the. 228. Th. haste. F. B. thus; S. for; Th. T. Ff. _om._ T. rescow; _rest_ rescowe. 229. Th. one. Ff. I wol avowe; F. B. I avowe; Th. T. make I nowe. S. And ry_ch_t anon to loue I wole allowe. 231. Th. apayde; T. apaied. 232. F. B. Ff. S. amayed; Th. T. dismayde. 233. Th. herde. F. B. er; Th. T. Ff. erst. 235. Ff. nexte; _rest_ next. Th. affrayde; T. affraied. 236. Th. one. 237. S. leue; _rest_ loue (!). Th. cuckowe ne his; F. B. S. _om._ ne his. 238. Th. stronge leasyng. 239. F. B. S. Ff. there (_for_ therto). T. man (_for_ thing). 240. F. B. S. Fro; Th. T. Ff. For (!). _So_ Ff. F. B. S.; Th. T. and it hath do me moche (T. myche) wo.

241. F. B. Yee; S. Ya. S. thou schalt vss. Th. T. Ff. _om._ thou. 242. Ff. F. B. er; _rest_ or. Th. T. Ff. _om._ that. 243. F. B. S. fressh flour; Ff. Th. T. _om._ flour. S. dayeseye. 245. Th. greatly. B. lisse; F. Ff. lyssen; Th. T. S. lessen. S. _om._ thee. 246--_end_. _Lost in_ S. 247. Th. one. Ff. my; _rest_ the. 248. Th. the. 249. Th. T. Ff. than; F. B. then (_read_ thanne). Th. songe. 250. F. B. Ff. hem al. Th. ben; T. bene. 251. Ff. hadde; T. hade; _rest_ had. 252. Th. Nowe. F. most; B. must; Th. Ff. mote; T. mot. 254. Ff. mochel; F. B. mekil; T. mykil; Th. moche. Th. the. 255. _So_ F. B. Ff.; Th. T. As any yet louer he euer sende. 256. Th. T. Ff. taketh; F. B. toke. Th. leaue. 257. Th. T. Ff. _om._ he. 259. Th. cuckowe. 260. Ff. noon; F. B. non; Th. T. not. T. Ff. brid; F. B. bridde; Th. byrde. 261. F. B. fley; T. fleigh; Ff. fle[gh]t; Th. flewe. 262. Th. byrdes; _rest_ briddes. B. the vale; F. the wale; Th. T. Ff. that dale. 263. Th. T. gate; F. B. gat. 264. _All put_ hem _after_ besoughte. Ff. bysought; _rest_ besoughten (!). 265. Th. T. disease.

266. Ff. Ye wyten; F. B. Ye knowe; Th. T. The cuckowe (!). F. B. fro yow hidde; Th. T. for to hyde (!). 267. F. B. How that; _rest om._ that. Th. T. Ff. fast; F. B. _om._ Th. chyde; T. chide; F. B. Ff. chidde. 268. Th. Ff. daye; _rest_ dayes. 269. Th. Ff. praye; _rest_ pray (prey). Ff. all_e_; _rest_ al. 270. Th. bride; T. Ff. brid; F. B. bridde. 271. Th. o; _rest_ oon. T. all; _rest_ al. Th. one; T. oon; F. B. _om._ 273. Th. _om._ fewe. Th. byrdes. 274. _All_ soth. Th. cuckowe. 276. T. Ff. lord; _rest_ lorde. 277. T. Ff. record; _rest_ recorde. 278. Th. cuckowe. 279. Ff. Th. T. _om._ And. Th. There. Th. T. yeue; F. yeuen; B. yeuyn; Ff. youe. 280. F. B. make summe; Th. T. fynally make. 281. Th. without; _rest_ withouten. Th. T. Ff. _om._ any. 282. F. B. of; Th. T. Ff. after. 283 Th. T. Ff. a; F. B. the. Th. fayre. 284. Th. wyndowe. 285. Th. wodestocke; F. B. wodestok. 286. F. B. thanketh. Th. leaue toke. 287. F. B. fleye; Th. T. _om._ Th. T. Ff. an; F. B. a. Th. hauthorne; T. hauthorn. _All_ broke. 288. _All_ sate. T. Ff. song; _rest_ songe. Th. T. that; F. B. the; Ff. a. 289. _I supply_ my. Th. T. Ff. lyfe; F. B. lyve. _After_ 290, Ff. _has_ Explicit Clanvowe.

* * * * *

XIX. ENVOY TO ALISON.

O lewde book, with thy foole rudenesse, Sith thou hast neither beautee n'eloquence, Who hath thee caused, or yeve thee hardinesse For to appere in my ladyes presence? I am ful siker, thou knowest her benivolence 5 Ful ágreable to alle hir obeyinge; For of al goode she is the best livinge.

Allas! that thou ne haddest worthinesse To shewe to her som plesaunt sentence, Sith that she hath, thorough her gentilesse, 10 Accepted thee servant to her digne reverence! O, me repenteth that I n'had science And leyser als, to make thee more florisshinge; For of al goode she is the best livinge.

Beseche her mekely, with al lowlinesse, 15 Though I be fer from her [as] in absence, To thenke on my trouth to her and stedfastnesse, And to abregge of my sorwe the violence, Which caused is wherof knoweth your sapience; She lyke among to notifye me her lykinge; 20 For of al goode she is the best livinge.

LENVOY.

Aurore of gladnesse, and day of lustinesse, Lucerne a-night, with hevenly influence Illumined, rote of beautee and goodnesse, Suspiries which I effunde in silence, 25 Of grace I beseche, alegge let your wrytinge, Now of al goode sith ye be best livinge.

_Explicit._

_From_ F. (Fairfax 16); _collated with_ T. (Tanner 346); _and_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532). 1. F. boke; T. Th. booke. Th. foule. 2. _All_ beaute. 3. _All_ the (_twice_). 5. _So all._ 6. Th. abeyeng (!). 7. F. T. goode; Th. good. Th. best; F. T. beste. 9. _All_ so_m_me, some. Th. plesaunt; F. plesant. 10. T. thurugh; F. thorgh; Th. through. 11. _All_ the. 12. _All_ ne (_before_ had). 13. _So all_ (_with_ the _for_ thee). 14. Th. good. Th. best; F. T. beste. 16. _I supply_ as. 17. T. Th. trouth; F. trouthe. 18. F. abregge; Th. abrege; T. abrigge. T. sorow; F. sorwes; Th. sorowes. 20. _All_ amonge. T. Th. notifye; F. notefye. 21. T. Th. al; F. alle. F. T. goode; Th. good.

Th. Lenuoye; T. The Lenuoye; F. _om._ 24. Th. T. Illumyned; F. Enlumyned. F. Rote (_with capital_). _All_ beaute. F. and of; Th. T. _om._ of. 25. F. Suspiries; Th. Suspires. 26. T. beseke. Th. alege. 27. F. goode; Th. T. good. _After_ 27: Th. Explicit; F. T. _om._

* * * * *

XX. THE FLOWER AND THE LEAF.

When that Phebus his chaire of gold so hy Had whirled up the sterry sky aloft, And in the Bole was entred certainly; Whan shoures swete of rain discended +soft, Causing the ground, felë tymes and oft, 5 Up for to give many an hoolsom air, And every plain was [eek y-]clothed fair

With newe grene, and maketh smalë floures To springen here and there in feld and mede; So very good and hoolsom be the shoures 10 That it reneweth, that was old and deede In winter-tyme; and out of every seede Springeth the herbë, so that every wight Of this sesoun wexeth [ful] glad and light.

And I, só glad of the seson swete, 15 Was happed thus upon a certain night; As I lay in my bed, sleep ful unmete Was unto me; but, why that I ne might Rest, I ne wist; for there nas erthly wight, As I suppose, had more hertës ese 20 Than I, for I n'ad siknesse nor disese.

Wherfore I mervail gretly of my-selve, That I so long withouten sleepë lay; And up I roos, three houres after twelve, About the [very] springing of the day, 25 And on I put my gere and myn array; And to a plesaunt grovë I gan passe, Long or the brightë sonne uprisen was,

In which were okës grete, streight as a lyne, Under the which the gras, so fresh of hew, 30 Was newly spronge; and an eight foot or nyne Every tree wel fro his felawe grew, With braunches brode, laden with leves new, That sprongen out ayein the sonnë shene, Som very rede, and som a glad light grene; 35

Which, as me thought, was right a plesaunt sight. And eek the briddes song[ës] for to here Would have rejoised any erthly wight. And I, that couth not yet, in no manere, Here the nightingale of al the yere, 40 Ful busily herkned, with herte and ere, If I her voice perceive coud any-where.

And at the last, a path of litel brede I found, that gretly had not used be, For it forgrowen was with gras and weede, 45 That wel unneth a wight [ther] might it see. Thought I, this path som whider goth, pardè, And so I folowèd, til it me brought To right a plesaunt herber, wel y-wrought,

That benched was, and [al] with turves new 50 Freshly turved, wherof the grenë gras So small, so thik, so short, so fresh of hew, That most lyk to grene +wol, wot I, it was. The hegge also, that yede [as] in compas And closed in al the grene herbere, 55 With sicamour was set and eglantere,

Writhen in-fere so wel and cunningly That every braunch and leef grew by mesure, Plain as a bord, of on height, by and by, [That] I sy never thing, I you ensure, 60 So wel [y-]don; for he that took the cure It [for] to make, I trow, did al his peyn To make it passe al tho that men have seyn.

And shapen was this herber, roof and al, As [is] a prety parlour, and also 65 The hegge as thik as [is] a castle-wal, That, who that list without to stond or go, Though he wold al-day pryen to and fro, He shuld not see if there were any wight Within or no; but oon within wel might 70

Perceive al tho that yeden there-without In the feld, that was on every syde Covered with corn and gras, that, out of dout, Though oon wold seeken al the world wyde, So rich a feld [ne] coud not be espyed 75 [Up]on no cost, as of the quantitee, For of al good thing ther was [greet] plentee.

And I, that al this plesaunt sight [than] sy, Thought sodainly I felt so sweet an air [Come] of the eglantere, that certainly, 80 Ther is no hert, I deme, in such despair, Ne with [no] thoughtës froward and contrair So overlaid, but it shuld soone have bote, If it had onës felt this savour sote.

And as I stood and cast asyde myn y, 85 I was ware of the fairest medle-tree That ever yet in al my lyf I sy, As full of blossomës as it might be. Therin a goldfinch leping pretily Fro bough to bough, and, as him list, he eet 90 Here and there, of buddes and floures sweet.

And to the herber-sydë was joining This fairë tree, of which I have you told; And, at the last, the brid began to sing, Whan he had eten what he etë wold, 95 So passing sweetly, that, by manifold, It was more plesaunt than I coud devyse; And whan his song was ended in this wyse,

The nightingale with so mery a note Answéred him, that al the wodë rong 100 So sodainly, that, as it were a sot, I stood astonied; so was I with the song Through ravishèd, that, [un]til late and long Ne wist I in what place I was, ne where; And +ay, me thought, she song even by myn ere. 105

Wherfore about I waited busily On every syde, if I her mightë see; And, at the last, I gan ful wel aspy Wher she sat in a fresh green laurer-tree On the further syde, even right by me, 110 That gave so passing a delicious smel According to the eglantere ful wel.

Wherof I had so inly greet plesyr That, as me thought, I surely ravished was Into Paradyse, where my desyr 115 Was for to be, and no ferther [to] passe As for that day, and on the sotë gras I sat me doun; for, as for myn entent, The birdës song was more convenient,

And more plesaunt to me, by many fold, 120 Than mete or drink, or any other thing; Thereto the herber was so fresh and cold, The hoolsom savours eek so comforting That, as I demed, sith the beginning Of the world, was never seen, or than, 125 So plesaunt a ground of non erthly man.

And as I sat, the briddës herkning thus, Me thought that I herd voices sodainly, The most sweetest and most delicious That ever any wight, I trow trewly, 130 Herde in +his lyf, for [that] the armony And sweet accord was in so good musyk, Thát the voice to angels most was lyk.

At the last, out of a grove even by, THE LEAF. That was right goodly and plesaunt to sight, 135 I sy where there cam singing lustily A world of ladies; but to tell aright Their greet beautè, it lyth not in my might, Ne their array; nevertheless, I shal Tell you a part, though I speke not of al. 140

+In surcotes whyte, of veluet wel sitting, They were [y-]clad; and the semes echoon, As it were a maner garnishing, Was set with emeraudës, oon and oon, By and by; but many a richë stoon 145 Was set [up-]on the purfils, out of dout, Of colors, sleves, and trainës round about;

As gret[e] perlës, round and orient, Diamondës fyne and rubies rede, And many another stoon, of which I +want 150 The namës now; and everich on her hede A richë fret of gold, which, without drede, Was ful of statly richë stonës set; And every lady had a chapëlet

On her hede, of [leves] fresh and grene, 155 So wel [y-]wrought, and so mervéilously, Thát it was a noble sight to sene; Some of laurer, and some ful plesauntly Had chapëlets of woodbind, and sadly Some of _agnus-castus_ ware also 160 Chápëlets fresh; but there were many tho

That daunced and eek song ful soberly; But al they yede in maner of compas. But oon ther yede in-mid the company Sole by her-self; but al folowed the pace 165 [Which] that she kept, whos hevenly-figured face So plesaunt was, and her wel-shape persòn, That of beautè she past hem everichon.

And more richly beseen, by manifold, She was also, in every maner thing; 170 On her heed, ful plesaunt to behold, A crowne of gold, rich for any king; A braunch of _agnus-castus_ eek bering In her hand; and, to my sight, trewly, She lady was of [al] the company. 175

And she began a roundel lustily, That _Sus le foyl de vert moy_ men call, _Seen, et mon joly cuer endormi_; And than the company answéred all With voice[s] swete entuned and so small, 180 That me thought it the sweetest melody That ever I herdë in my lyf, soothly.

And thus they came[n], dauncing and singing, Into the middes of the mede echone, Before the herber, where I was sitting, 185 And, god wot, me thought I was wel bigon; For than I might avyse hem, on by on, Who fairest was, who coud best dance or sing, Or who most womanly was in al thing.

They had not daunced but a litel throw 190 When that I herd, not fer of, sodainly So greet a noise of thundring trumpës blow, As though it shuld have départed the sky; And, after that, within a whyle I sy From the same grove, where the ladyes come out, 195 Of men of armës coming such a rout

As al the men on erth had been assembled In that place, wel horsed for the nones, Stering so fast, that al the erth[ë] trembled; But for to speke of riches and [of] stones, 200 And men and hors, I trow, the largë wones Of Prester John, ne al his tresory Might not unneth have bought the tenth party!

Of their array who-so list herë more, I shal reherse, so as I can, a lyte. 205 Out of the grove, that I spak of before, I sy come first, al in their clokes whyte, A company, that ware, for their delyt, Chapëlets fresh of okës cereal Newly spronge, and trumpets they were al. 210

On every trumpe hanging a brood banere Of fyn tartarium, were ful richly bete; Every trumpet his lordës armës +bere; About their nekkës, with gret perlës set, Colers brode; for cost they would not lete, 215 As it would seme; for their scochones echoon Were set about with many a precious stoon.

Their hors-harneys was al whyte also; And after hem next, in on company, Cámë kingës of armës, and no mo, 220 In clokës of whyte cloth of gold, richly; Chapelets of greene on their hedes on hy, The crownës that they on their scochones bere Were set with perlë, ruby, and saphere,

And eek gret diamondës many on; 225 But al their hors-harneys and other gere Was in a sute àccording, everichon, As ye have herd the foresayd trumpets were; And, by seeming, they were nothing to lere; And their gyding they did so manerly. 230 And after hem cam a greet company

Of heraudës and pursevauntës eke Arrayed in clothës of whyt veluët; And hardily, they were nothing to seke How they [up]on hem shuld the harneys set; 235 And every man had on a chapëlet; Scóchones and eke hors-harneys, indede, They had in sute of hem that before hem yede.

Next after hem, came in armour bright, Al save their hedes, seemely knightës nyne; 240 And every clasp and nail, as to my sight, Of their harneys, were of red gold fyne; With cloth of gold, and furred with ermyne Were the trappurës of their stedës strong, Wyde and large, that to the ground did hong; 245

And every bosse of brydel and peitrel That they had, was worth, as I would wene, A thousand pound; and on their hedës, wel Dressed, were crownës [al] of laurer grene, The best [y-]mad that ever I had seen; 250 And every knight had after him ryding Three henshmen, [up]on him awaiting;

Of whiche +the first, upon a short tronchoun, His lordës helme[t] bar, so richly dight, That the worst was worth[y] the raunsoun 255 Of a[ny] king; the second a sheld bright Bar at his nekke; the thridde bar upright A mighty spere, ful sharpe [y-]ground and kene; And every child ware, of leves grene,

A fresh chapelet upon his heres bright; 260 And clokes whyte, of fyn veluet they ware; Their stedës trapped and [a]rayed right Without[en] difference, as their lordës were. And after hem, on many a fresh co[u]rsere, There came of armed knightës such a rout 265 That they besprad the largë feld about.

And al they ware[n], after their degrees, Chapëlets new, made of laurer grene, Some of oke, and some of other trees; Some in their handës berë boughës shene, 270 Some of laurer, and some of okës kene, Some of hawthorn, and some of woodbind, And many mo, which I had not in mind.

And so they came, their hors freshly stering With bloody sownës of hir trompës loud; 275 Ther sy I many an uncouth disgysing In the array of these knightës proud; And at the last, as evenly as they coud, They took their places in-middes of the mede, And every knight turned his horse[s] hede 280

To his felawe, and lightly laid a spere In the [a]rest, and so justës began On every part about[en], here and there; Som brak his spere, som drew down hors and man; About the feld astray the stedës ran; 285 And, to behold their rule and governaunce, I you ensure, it was a greet plesaunce.

And so the justës last an houre and more; But tho that crowned were in laurer grene Wan the pryse; their dintës were so sore 290 That ther was non ayenst hem might sustene; And [than] the justing al was left of clene; And fro their hors the +nine alight anon; And so did al the remnant everichon.

And forth they yede togider, twain and twain, 295 That to behold, it was a worldly sight, Toward the ladies on the grenë plain, That song and daunced, as I sayd now right. The ladies, as soone as they goodly might, They breke[n] of both the song and dance, 300 And yede to mete hem, with ful glad semblance.

And every lady took, ful womanly, Bý the hond a knight, and forth they yede Unto a fair laurer that stood fast by, With levës lade, the boughës of gret brede; 305 And to my dome, there never was, indede, [A] man that had seen half so fair a tree; For underneth it there might wel have be

An hundred persons, at their own plesaunce, Shadowed fro the hete of Phebus bright 310 So that they shuld have felt no [greet] grevaunce Of rain, ne hail, that hem hurt[ë] might. The savour eek rejoice would any wight That had be sick or melancolious, It was so very good and vertuous. 315

And with gret reverence they +enclyned low [Un]to the tree, so sote and fair of hew; And after that, within a litel throw, +Bigonne they to sing and daunce of-new; Some song of love, some playning of untrew, 320 Environing the tree that stood upright; And ever yede a lady and a knight.

And at the last I cast myn eye asyde, THE FLOWER. And was ware of a lusty company That came, roming out of the feld wyde, 325 Hond in hond, a knight and a lady; The ladies alle in surcotes, that richly Purfyled were with many a riche stoon; And every knight of greene ware mantles on,

Embrouded wel, so as the surcotes were, 330 And everich had a chapelet on her hede; Which did right wel upon the shyning here, Made of goodly floures, whyte and rede. The knightës eke, that they in hond lede, In sute of hem, ware chapelets everichon; 335 And hem before went minstrels many on,

As harpës, pypës, lutës, and sautry, Al in greene; and on their hedës bare Of dyvers flourës, mad ful craftily, Al in a sute, goodly chapelets they ware; 340 And so, dauncing, into the mede they fare, In-mid the which they found a tuft that was Al oversprad with flourës in compas.

Where[un]to they enclyned everichon With greet reverence, and that ful humblely; 345 And, at the last[ë], there began anon A lady for to sing right womanly A bargaret in praising the daisy; For, as me thought, among her notës swete, She sayd, '_Si doucë est la Margarete_.' 350

Thén they al answéred her infere, So passingly wel, and so plesauntly, Thát it was a blisful noise to here. But I not [how], it happed sodainly, As, about noon, the sonne so fervently 355 Wex hoot, that [al] the prety tender floures Had lost the beautè of hir fresh coloures,

For-shronk with hete; the ladies eek to-brent, That they ne wist where they hem might bestow. The knightës swelt, for lak of shade ny shent; 360 And after that, within a litel throw, The wind began so sturdily to blow, That down goth al the flourës everichon So that in al the mede there laft not on,

Save suche as socoured were, among the leves, 365 Fro every storme, that might hem assail, Growing under hegges and thikke greves; And after that, there came a storm of hail And rain in-fere, so that, withouten fail, The ladies ne the knightës n'ade o threed 370 Drye [up]on hem, so dropping was hir weed.

And when the storm was clene passed away, Tho [clad] in whyte, that stood under the tree, They felt[ë] nothing of the grete affray, That they in greene without had in y-be. 375 To hem they yedë for routh and pitè, Hem to comfort after their greet disese; So fain they were the helpless for to ese.

Then was I ware how oon of hem in grene Had on a crown[ë], rich and wel sitting; 380 Wherfore I demed wel she was a quene, And tho in greene on her were awaiting. The ladies then in whyte that were coming Toward[ës] hem, and the knightës in-fere Began to comfort hem and make hem chere. 385

The quene in whyte, that was of grete beautè, Took by the hond the queen that was in grene, And said, 'Suster, I have right greet pitè Of your annoy, and of the troublous tene Wherein ye and your company have been 390 So long, alas! and, if that it you plese To go with me, I shal do you the ese

In al the pleisir that I can or may.' Wherof the tother, humbly as she might, Thanked her; for in right ill aray 395 She was, with storm and hete, I you behight. And every lady then, anon-right, That were in whyte, oon of hem took in grene By the hond; which when the knightes had seen,

In lyke wyse, ech of hem took a knight 400 Clad in grene, and forth with hem they fare [Un]to an heggë, where they, anon-right, To make their justës, [lo!] they would not spare Boughës to hew down, and eek treës square, Wherewith they made hem stately fyres grete 405 To dry their clothës that were wringing wete.

And after that, of herbës that there grew, They made, for blisters of the sonne brenning, Very good and hoolsom ointments new, Where that they yede, the sick fast anointing; 410 And after that, they yede about gadring Plesaunt saladës, which they made hem ete, For to refresh their greet unkindly hete.

The lady of the Leef then gan to pray Her of the Flour, (for so to my seeming 415 They should[ë] be, as by their [quaint] array), To soupe with her; and eek, for any thing, That she should with her al her people bring. And she ayein, in right goodly manere, Thanketh her of her most freendly chere, 420

Saying plainly, that she would obey With al her hert al her commaundëment, And then anon, without lenger delay, The lady of the Leef hath oon y-sent For a palfray, [as] after her intent, 425 Arayed wel and fair in harneys of gold, For nothing lakked, that to him long shold.

And after that, to al her company She made to purvey hors and every thing That they needed; and then, ful lustily, 430 Even by the herber where I was sitting, They passed al, so plesantly singing, That it would have comfórted any wight; But then I sy a passing wonder sight:--

For then the nightingale, that al the day 435 Had in the laurer sete, and did her might The hool servyse to sing longing to May, Al sodainly [be]gan to take her flight; And to the lady of the Leef forthright She flew, and set her on her hond softly, 440 Which was a thing I marveled of gretly.

The goldfinch eek, that fro the medle-tree Was fled, for hete, into the bushes cold, Unto the lady of the Flour gan flee, And on her hond he set him, as he wold, 445 And plesantly his wingës gan to fold; And for to sing they pained hem both as sore As they had do of al the day before.

And so these ladies rood forth a gret pace, And al the rout of knightës eek in-fere; 450 And I, that had seen al this wonder case, Thought [that] I would assay, in some manere, To know fully the trouth of this matere, And what they were that rood so plesantly. And, when they were the herber passed by, 455

I drest me forth, and happed to mete anon Right a fair lady, I you ensure; And she cam ryding by herself aloon, Al in whyte, with semblance ful demure. I salued her, and bad good aventure 460 +Might her befall, as I coud most humbly; And she answered, 'My doughter, gramercy!'

'Madam,' quod I, 'if that I durst enquere Of you, I wold fain, of that company, Wit what they be that past by this herbere?' 465 And she ayein answéred right freendly: 'My fair daughter, al tho that passed hereby In whyte clothing, be servants everichoon Unto the Leef, and I my-self am oon.

See ye not her that crowned is,' quod she, 470 'Al in whyte?' 'Madamë,' quod I, 'yis!' 'That is Diane, goddesse of chastitè; And, for bicause that she a maiden is, In her hond the braunch she bereth, this That _agnus-castus_ men call properly; 475 And alle the ladies in her company

Which ye see of that herb[ë] chaplets were, Be such as han kept +ay hir maidenhede; And al they that of laurer chaplets bere Be such as hardy were and +wan, indede, 480 Victorious name which never may be dede. And al they were so worthy of hir hond, [As] in hir tyme, that non might hem withstond.

And tho that werë chapelets on hir hede Of fresh woodbind, be such as never were 485 To love untrew in word, [ne] thought, ne dede, But ay stedfast; ne for plesaunce, ne fere, Though that they shuld hir hertës al to-tere, Would never flit, but ever were stedfast, Til that their lyves there asunder brast.' 490

'Now, fair madam,' quod I, 'yet I would pray Your ladiship, if that it might be, That I might know[ë], by some maner way, Sith that it hath [y-]lyked your beautè, The trouth of these ladies for to tel me; 495 What that these knightës be, in rich armour; And what tho be in grene, and were the flour;

And why that some did reverence to the tree, And some unto the plot of flourës fair?' 'With right good wil, my fair doughter,' quod she, 500 'Sith your desyr is good and debonair. Tho nine, crownèd, be very exemplair Of all honour longing to chivalry, And those, certain, be called the Nine Worthy,

Which ye may see [here] ryding al before, 505 That in hir tyme did many a noble dede, And, for their worthines, ful oft have bore The crowne of laurer-leves on their hede, As ye may in your old[ë] bokes rede; And how that he, that was a conquerour, 510 Had by laurer alway his most honour.

And tho that bere boughës in their hond Of the precious laurer so notáble, Be such as were, I wol ye understond, Noble knightës of the Round[ë] Table, 515 And eek the Douseperes honourable; Which they bere in signe of victory, +As witness of their dedes mightily.

Eek there be knightës olde of the Garter, That in hir tyme did right worthily; 520 And the honour they did to the laurer Is, for by [it] they have their laud hoolly, Their triumph eek, and martial glory; Which unto hem is more parfyt richesse Than any wight imagine can or gesse. 525

For oon leef given of that noble tree To any wight that hath don worthily, And it be doon so as it ought to be, Is more honour then any thing erthly. Witnesse of Rome that founder was, truly, 530 Of all knighthood and dedës marvelous; Record I take of Titus Livius.

And as for her that crowned is in greene, It is Flora, of these flourës goddesse; And al that here on her awaiting been, 535 It are such [folk] that loved idlenes, And not delyte [had] of no busines But for to hunt and hauke, and pley in medes, And many other such [lyk] idle dedes.

And for the greet delyt and [the] plesaunce 540 They have [un]to the flour, so reverently They unto it do such [gret] obeisaunce, As ye may see.' 'Now, fair madame,' quod I, 'If I durst ask what is the cause and why That knightës have the signe of [al] honour 545 Rather by the Leef than by the Flour?'

'Sothly, doughter,' quod she, 'this is the trouth: For knightës ever should be persévering, To seeke honour without feintyse or slouth, Fro wele to better, in al maner thing; 550 In signe of which, with Levës ay lasting They be rewarded after their degree, Whos lusty grene may not appeired be,

But ay keping hir beautè fresh and greene; For there nis storm [non] that may hem deface, 555 Hail nor snow, wind nor frostës kene; Wherfore they have this propertè and grace. And for the Flour within a litel space Wol be [y-]lost, so simple of nature They be, that they no grevance may endure, 560

And every storm wil blow hem sone away, Ne they last not but [as] for a sesoun, That +is the cause, the very trouth to say, That they may not, by no way of resoun, Be put to no such occupacioun.' 565 'Madame,' quod I, 'with al my hool servyse I thank you now, in my most humble wyse.

For now I am acértainèd throughly Of every thing I désired to know.' 'I am right glad that I have said, sothly, 570 Ought to your pleysir, if ye wil me trow,' Quod she ayein, 'but to whom do ye ow Your servyce? and which wil ye honour, Tel me, I pray, this yeer, the Leef or Flour?'

'Madame,' quod I, 'though I [be] leest worthy, 575 Unto the Leef I ow myn observaunce.' 'That is,' quod she, 'right wel don, certainly, And I pray god to honour you avaunce, And kepe you fro the wikked rémembraunce Of Male-Bouche, and al his crueltè; 580 And alle that good and wel-condicioned be.

For here may I no lenger now abyde, I must folowe the gret[ë] company That ye may see yonder before you ryde.' And forth[right], as I couth, most humblely, 585 I took my leve of her as she gan hy After hem, as fast as ever she might; And I drow hoomward, for it was nigh night;

And put al that I had seen in wryting, Under support of hem that lust it rede. 590 O litel book, thou art so unconning, How darst thou put thy-self in prees for drede? It is wonder that thou wexest not rede, Sith that thou wost ful lyte who shal behold Thy rude langage, ful boistously unfold. 595

_Explicit._

_From_ Speght's edition (1598); _I note rejected readings_. 1. hie. 3. Boole. 4. sweet; raine; oft (!). 6. wholesome aire. 7. plaine was clothed faire. 8. new greene. small flours. 9. field and in mede. 10. wholsome. 11. renueth. 13. hearbe. 14. season; _I supply_ ful. 15. season. 16. certaine. 17. sleepe. 19. earthly. 20. hearts ease. 21. Then; nad sicknesse; disease.

22. meruaile greatly; selfe. 24. rose; twelfe. 25. _I supply_ very. 26. geare; mine. 27. pleasaunt. 28. bright. 29. great. 30. grasse. 31. sprong. 32. well; fellow. 33. lade. 34. ayen. 35. Some; red; some. 36. song (_read_ songes); fort (_sic_). 38. earthly. 40. Heare; all. 41. Full; herkened; hart and with eare. 43. litle breade. 44. greatly. 45. grasse. 46. well; _I supply_ ther. 47. some. 48. followed till. 49. pleasaunt; well. 50. _I supply_ al; turfes. 52. thicke. 53. lyke vnto (_read_ to); wel (!; _read_ wol).

54. _I supply_ as. 55. (_Perhaps imperfect_); all; green. 56. eglatere; _see_ l. 80. 57. Wrethen. 58. branch; leafe. 59. an (_better_ on). 60. _I supply_ That; see. 61. done; tooke. 62. _I supply_ for; all; peine. 63. all; seyne. 64. roofe. 65. _I supply_ is. 66. thicke; _I supply_ is; wall. 68. would all. 69. should. 70. one; well. 71. all. 72. field. 73. corne; grasse; doubt. 74. one would seeke all. 75. field; _I supply_ ne; espide. 76. On; coast; quantity. 77. all; _I supply_ greet; plenty. 78. all; pleasannt sight sie. 79. aire. 80. _I supply_ Come; eglentere. 81. heart; dispaire. 82. with thoughts; contraire. 83. should. 84. soote.

85. mine eie. 87. all; life; sie. 88. blosomes. 89. leaping pretile. 91. buds. 95. eaten; eat. 97. pleasaunt then. 98. when. 99. merry. 100. all; wood. 101. sote. 103. Thorow; till. 104. I ne wist (_better_ Ne wist I). 105. ayen (!). 106. I waited about. 107. might. 108. full well. 109. greene laurey (_error for_ laurer); _see_ l. 158. 111. smell. 112. eglentere full well. 113. great pleasure. 115. desire. 116. _I supply_ to.

117. grasse. 118. downe; mine. 119. birds. 120. pleasaunt. 121. meat; drinke. 123. wholsome; eke. 126. pleasaunt; none earthly. 127. birds harkening. 128. heard. 131. Heard; their (_error for_ his); _I supply_ that. 132. musike. 133. like. 135. pleasant. 136. sie; came. 138. great beauty; lieth. 139. shall. 140. speake; all. 141. The (!; _read_ In); wele. 142. were clad; echone. 144. Emerauds one and one. 145. rich. 146. on; purfiles.

148. great pearles. 149. Diamonds; red. 150. stone; went (_for_ want). 151. head. 152. rich; dread. 153. stately rich. 155. head; _I supply_ leves. 156. wele wrought; meruelously. 158. pleasantly. 160. were; _read_ ware, _as in_ 335. 161. of tho (_om._ of). 162. eke. 163. all; compace. 164. one. 165. Soole; selfe; all followed. 166. _I supply_ Which; whose heauenly. 167. pleasaunt; wele. 168. beauty; -one. 169. beseene. 171. head; pleasaunt. 172. goldë (?). 173. eke bearing. 175. _I supply_ al. 176. roundell lustely. 177. Suse; foyle. 178. Seen (_sic_); en dormy, _before which we should perhaps supply_ est.

180. voice sweet. 182. heard. 183. came. 186. bigone. 187. one by one. 189. all. 190. little. 191. heard. 192. great; thundering trumps. 193. skie. 194. sie. 196. comming. 197. all. 198. wele. 199. all; earth. 200. speake; _I supply_ of. 201. horse. 202. Pretir (!); all. 204. their (_read_ hir?); heare. 205. rehearse. 206. spake. 207. sie; all; their (_read_ hir?). 208. were: _read_ ware (_as in_ 329); delite. 209. seriall (_for_ cereal). 210. sprong; all.

211. broad. 212. fine; richely. 213. lords; here (_read_ bere); _see_ 223. 214. (_and often_): their (_for_ hir). neckes; great pearles. 216. echone. 217. stone. 218. horse; all. 219. them (_for_ hem); one. 220. kings. 222. heads; hye. 223. crowns. 224. pearle. 225. eke great Diamonds; one. 226. all; horse; geare. 227. euerichone. 228. heard. 230. there guiding. 231. great. 232. herauds; purseuaunts. 233. white. 235. on; should. 237. horse. 238. him (_for 2nd_ hem). 240. heads; knights. 241. claspe; naile. 242. their (_for_ hir?); _so in_ 214, 216, 218, 222, 223, 230 (there), 240; &c.

244. their (_for_ hir?); _so in_ 248, &c. 246. boose (!); bridle; paitrell. 248. heads well. 249. _I supply_ al. 250. made; sene. 252. on. 253. whiche euery on a. 254. lords helme bare. 255. worth. 256. a (_read_ any); shield. 257. Bare; neck; thred bare. 258. spheare (!); ground. 260. haires. 261. fine. were; _read_ ware (_as in_ 259). 262. steeds; raied. 263. Without; lords. 265. knights. 266. field. 267. were; _read_ waren. 270. honds bare. 272. hauthorne.

274. horses. 276. sie; disguising. 277. knights. 279. their (_for_ hir? _see_ 275); _so in_ 286, &c. 280. horse. 281. fellow; speare. 282. rest. 283. about. 284. Some brake; some. 285. field; steeds. 287. great pleasaunce. 290. dints. 291. none. 292. _I supply_ than; all. 293. horse. ninth; _read_ nine. 296. worldly (_perhaps read_ worthy). 297. green. 300. brake; they (_error for_ the). 301. meet; full. 302. tooke. 304. faire. 305. great.

307. _I supply_ A; halfe; faire. 308. underneath. 309. their (_for_ hir?); plesance. 310. heat. 311. should; _I supply_ greet. 312. raine; haile; hurt. 313. eke. 314. sicke; melancolius. 316. enclining; _read_ enclyned; _see_ 344. 317. To; soot; faire. 318. little. 319. They began to. 323. mine. 325. field. 327. all; richely. 328. rich. 330. well. 331. hed. 332. well. 333. red. 334. knights; led. 335. euerichone. 336. before hem; one. 338. heads. 339. made full craftely.

344. Whereto. 345. great; humbly. 346. last. 348. daisie. 350. douset & la. 351. all. 352. well; pleasauntly. 354. _I supply_ how. 355. noone. 356. Waxe whote; _I supply_ al. 357. beauty. 358. Forshronke; heat; eke. 360. knights; lack; nie. 361. little. 363. down goeth all; euerichone. 364. all; one. 365. succoured. 366. assaile. 367. thicke. 368. storme; haile. 369. raine in feare; faile. 370. knights. 371. on them so; her.

372. cleane. 373. _I supply_ clad. 374. felt; great. 376. them (_for_ hem). 377. Them (_for_ Hem); great disease. 378. faine; helplesse; ease. 379. one. 380. crown; well. 384. Toward them; knights. 386. Queen; great beauty. 387. Tooke. 388. great pity. 390. bene. 391. please. 392. shall; ease. 393. all; pleasure. 396. heat. 398. one; them. 399. knights; sene. 400. them. 402. To. 403. iusts; _supply_ lo. 404. downe; eke.

405. great. 406. weat. 407. hearbs. 409. wholsome. 410. annointing. 411. gadering. 412. Pleasaunt; eat. 413. great; heat. 414. leafe; began (_for_ gan). 415. floure. 416. should; _I supply_ quaint. 417. eke. 418. all. 419. ayen. 420. friendly cheare. 421. obay. 422. all; hart all. 424. Leafe; one. 425. _I supply_ al. 426. well; faire. 427. lacked; should. 428. all. 429. horse. 432. all; pleasantly. 434. sie. 435. all. 437. whol seruice.

438. gan. 439. leafe. 441. greatly. 442. eke; medill. 443. heat. 444. Flower; fle. 445. hir. 446. pleasantly; wings. 448. all. 449. rode; great. 450. knights. 451. sene all. 452. _I supply_ that. 454. rode; pleasantly. 457. faire. 458. come; hir selfe alone. 459. All. 460. saluted (_read_ salued); bad her good (_omit_ her). 461. Must (_read_ Might). 464. faine. 465. arbere. 466. ayen; friendly. 467. faire; all. 468. euerichone. 469. Leafe; selfe; one.

471. All; yes (_read_ yis). 472. goddes; chastity. 476. all. 477. hearb. 478. kepte; alway (_read_ ay); her. 479. beare. 480. manly (_read_ wan). 482. all; ther (_read_ hir). 483. _I supply_ As; none. 484. weare; ther (_read_ hir). 486. untrue; _I supply_ ne. 487. aye; pleasance. 488. their harts all. 490. Till; their (_read_ hir?). 491. faire. 493. know. 494. liked. 495. tell. 496. knights. 497. weare. 499. faire. 500. will; doghter. 501. youre desire; debonaire.

502. exemplaire. 504. certaine. 505. _I supply_ here. 507. their (_read_ hir? _see_ 506); _so in_ 512, &c. 508. leaues. 509. old bookes. 512. beare. bowes; _see_ 270. 514. woll. 515. knights; round. 516. eke; douseperis. 517. beare. 518. It is (_but read_ As). 519. Eke; knights old. 522. _I supply_ it; wholly. 523. eke; marshall (!). 524. them; riches. 526. one leafe. 527, 528. done. 529. earthly. 530. Witnes. 531. deeds.

535. all; beene. 536. _I supply_ folk. 537. delite of; busines. 539. _I supply_ lyk. 540. great delite; _I supply_ the; pleasaunce. 541. to; and so (_omit_ and). 542. _I supply_ gret. 543. faire. 544. aske. 545. knights; _I supply_ al. 546. leafe; floure. 548. knights. 550. all. 551. leaues aye. 552. their; _read_ hir? 553. Whose; green May may (_sic_). 554. aye; their beauty. 555. storme; _I supply_ non. 556. Haile; frosts. 557. propertie. 558. floure; little. 559. Woll; lost. 560. greeuance. 561. storme will; them. 562. _I supply_ as; season. 563. That if their (_read_ That is the). 564. reason. 565. occupacion.

566. all mine whole. 567. thanke. 571. pleasure; will. 572. ayen; whome doe; owe. 573. woll. 574. Tell; yeere; leafe or the flour. 575. I least. 576. leafe; owe mine. 577. well done. 580. male bouch; all; crueltie. 581. all. 583. follow; great. 585. forth as; humbly. 586. tooke; hie. 587. them. 588. homeward. 589. all. 590. them; it to rede (_omit_ to). 591. little booke. 594. shall. 595. full.

* * * * *

XXI. THE ASSEMBLY OF LADIES.

In Septembre, at the falling of the leef, The fressh sesoun was al-togider doon, And of the corn was gadered in the sheef; In a gardyn, about twayn after noon, Ther were ladyes walking, as was her wone, 5 Foure in nombre, as to my mynd doth falle, And I the fifte, the simplest of hem alle.

Of gentilwomen fayre ther were also, Disporting hem, everiche after her gyse, In crosse-aleys walking, by two and two, 10 And some alone, after her fantasyes. Thus occupyed we were in dyvers wyse; And yet, in trouthe, we were not al alone; Ther were knightës and squyers many one.

'Wherof I served?' oon of hem asked me; 15 I sayde ayein, as it fel in my thought, 'To walke about the mase, in certayntè, As a woman that [of] nothing rought.' He asked me ayein--'whom that I sought, And of my colour why I was so pale?' 20 'Forsothe,' quod I, 'and therby lyth a tale.'

'That must me wite,' quod he, 'and that anon; Tel on, let see, and make no tarying.' 'Abyd,' quod I, 'ye been a hasty oon, I let you wite it is no litel thing. 25 But, for bicause ye have a greet longing In your desyr, this proces for to here, I shal you tel the playn of this matere.--

It happed thus, that, in an after-noon, My felawship and I, by oon assent, 30 Whan al our other besinesse was doon, To passe our tyme, into this mase we went, And toke our wayes, eche after our entent; Some went inward, and +wend they had gon out, Some stode amid, and loked al about. 35

And, sooth to say, some were ful fer behind, And right anon as ferforth as the best; Other ther were, so mased in her mind, Al wayes were good for hem, bothe eest and west. Thus went they forth, and had but litel rest; 40 And some, her corage did hem sore assayle, For very wrath, they did step over the rayle!

And as they sought hem-self thus to and fro, I gat myself a litel avauntage; Al for-weried, I might no further go, 45 Though I had won right greet, for my viage. So com I forth into a strait passage, Which brought me to an herber fair and grene, Mad with benches, ful craftily and clene,

That, as me thought, ther might no crëature 50 Devyse a better, by dew proporcioun; Safe it was closed wel, I you ensure, With masonry of compas enviroun, Ful secretly, with stayres going doun Inmiddes the place, with turning wheel, certayn; 55 And upon that, a pot of marjolain;

With margarettes growing in ordinaunce, To shewe hemself, as folk went to and fro, That to beholde it was a greet plesaunce, And how they were acompanyed with mo 60 Ne-m'oublie-mies and sovenez also; The povre pensees were not disloged there; No, no! god wot, her place was every-where!

The flore beneth was paved faire and smothe With stones square, of many dyvers hew, 65 So wel joynëd that, for to say the sothe, Al semed oon (who that non other knew); And underneth, the stremës new and new, As silver bright, springing in suche a wyse That, whence it cam, ye coude it not devyse. 70

A litel whyle thus was I al alone, Beholding wel this délectable place; My felawship were coming everichone, So must me nedes abyde, as for a space. Rememb[e]ring of many dyvers cace 75 Of tyme passed, musing with sighes depe, I set me doun, and ther I fel a-slepe.

And, as I slept, me thought ther com to me A gentilwoman, metely of stature; Of greet worship she semed for to be, 80 Atyred wel, not high, but by mesure; Her countenaunce ful sad and ful demure; Her colours blewe, al that she had upon; Ther com no mo [there] but herself aloon.

Her gown was wel embrouded, certainly, 85 With sovenez, after her own devyse; On her purfyl her word [was] by and by _Bien et loyalment_, as I coud devyse. Than prayde I her, in every maner wyse That of her name I might have remembraunce; 90 She sayd, she called was Perséveraunce.

So furthermore to speke than was I bold, Where she dwelled, I prayed her for to say; And she again ful curteysly me told, "My dwelling is, and hath ben many a day 95 With a lady."--"What lady, I you pray?" "Of greet estate, thus warne I you," quod she; "What cal ye her?"--"Her name is Loyaltè."

"In what offyce stand ye, or in what degrè?" Quod I to her, "that wolde I wit right fayn." 100 "I am," quod she, "unworthy though I be, Of her chambre her ussher, in certayn; This rod I bere, as for a token playn, Lyke as ye know the rule in such servyce Pertayning is unto the same offyce. 105

She charged me, by her commaundëment, To warn you and your felawes everichon, That ye shuld come there as she is present, For a counsayl, which shal be now anon, Or seven dayës be comen and gon. 110 And furthermore, she bad that I shuld say Excuse there might be non, nor [no] delay.

Another thing was nigh forget behind Whiche in no wyse I wolde but ye it knew; Remembre wel, and bere it in your mind, 115 Al your felawes and ye must come in blew, Every liche able your maters for to sew; With more, which I pray you thinke upon, Your wordës on your slevës everichon.

And be not ye abasshed in no wyse, 120 As many been in suche an high presence; Mak your request as ye can best devyse, And she gladly wol yeve you audience. There is no greef, ne no maner offence, Wherin ye fele that your herte is displesed, 125 But with her help right sone ye shul be esed."

"I am right glad," quod I, "ye tel me this, But there is non of us that knoweth the way." "As of your way," quod she, "ye shul not mis, Ye shul have oon to gyde you, day by day, 130 Of my felawes (I can no better say) Suche oon as shal tel you the way ful right; And Diligence this gentilwoman hight.

A woman of right famous governaunce, And wel cherisshed, I tel you in certayn; 135 Her felawship shal do you greet plesaunce. Her port is suche, her maners trewe and playn; She with glad chere wol do her besy payn To bring you there; now farwel, I have don." "Abyde," sayd I, "ye may not go so sone." 140

"Why so?" quod she, "and I have fer to go To yeve warning in many dyvers place To your felawes, and so to other mo; And wel ye wot, I have but litel space." "Now yet," quod I, "ye must tel me this cace, 145 If we shal any man unto us cal?" "Not oon," quod she, "may come among you al."

"Not oon," quod I, "ey! _benedicite!_ What have they don? I pray you tel me that!" "Now, by my lyf, I trow but wel," quod she; 150 "But ever I can bileve there is somwhat, And, for to say you trouth, more can I nat; In questiouns I may nothing be large, I medle no further than is my charge."

"Than thus," quod I, "do me to understand, 155 What place is there this lady is dwelling?" "Forsothe," quod she, "and oon sought al this land, Fairer is noon, though it were for a king Devysed wel, and that in every thing. The toures hy ful plesaunt shul ye find, 160 With fanes fressh, turning with every wind.

The chambres and parlours both of oo sort, With bay-windowes, goodly as may be thought, As for daunsing and other wyse disport; The galeryes right wonder wel y-wrought, 165 That I wel wot, if ye were thider brought, And took good hede therof in every wyse, Ye wold it thinke a very paradyse."

"What hight this place?" quod I; "now say me that." "Plesaunt Regard," quod she, "to tel you playn." 170 "Of verray trouth," quod I, "and, wot ye what, It may right wel be called so, certayn; But furthermore, this wold I wit ful fayn, What shulde I do as sone as I come there, And after whom that I may best enquere?" 175

"A gentilwoman, a porter at the yate There shal ye find; her name is Countenaunce; If +it so hap ye come erly or late, Of her were good to have som acquaintaunce. She can tel how ye shal you best avaunce, 180 And how to come to her ladyes presence; To her wordës I rede you yeve credence.

Now it is tyme that I depart you fro; For, in good sooth, I have gret businesse." "I wot right wel," quod I, "that it is so; 185 And I thank you of your gret gentilnesse. Your comfort hath yeven me suche hardinesse That now I shal be bold, withouten fayl, To do after your ávyse and counsayl."

Thus parted she, and I lefte al aloon; 190 With that I saw, as I beheld asyde, A woman come, a verray goodly oon; And forth withal, as I had her aspyed, Me thought anon, [that] it shuld be the gyde; And of her name anon I did enquere. 195 Ful womanly she yave me this answere.

"I am," quod she, "a simple crëature Sent from the court; my name is Diligence. As sone as I might come, I you ensure, I taried not, after I had licence; 200 And now that I am come to your presence, Look, what servyce that I can do or may, Commaundë me; I can no further say."

I thanked her, and prayed her to come nere, Because I wold see how she were arayed; 205 Her gown was blew, dressed in good manere With her devyse, her word also, that sayd _Tant que je puis_; and I was wel apayd; For than wist I, withouten any more, It was ful trew, that I had herd before. 210

"Though we took now before a litel space, It were ful good," quod she, "as I coud gesse." "How fer," quod I, "have we unto that place?" "A dayes journey," quod she, "but litel lesse; Wherfore I redë that we onward dresse; 215 For, I suppose, our felawship is past, And for nothing I wold that we were last."

Than parted we, at springing of the day, And forth we wente [a] soft and esy pace, Til, at the last, we were on our journey 220 So fer onward, that we might see the place. "Now let us rest," quod I, "a litel space, And say we, as devoutly as we can, A _pater-noster_ for saint Julian."

"With al my herte, I assent with good wil; 225 Much better shul we spede, whan we have don." Than taried we, and sayd it every del. And whan the day was fer gon after noon, We saw a place, and thider cam we sone, Which rounde about was closed with a wal, 230 Seming to me ful lyke an hospital.

Ther found I oon, had brought al myn aray, A gentilwoman of myn aquaintaunce. "I have mervayl," quod I, "what maner way Ye had knowlege of al this ordenaunce." 235 "Yis, yis," quod she, "I herd Perséveraunce, How she warned your felawes everichon, And what aray that ye shulde have upon."

"Now, for my love," quod I, "this I you pray, Sith ye have take upon you al the payn, 240 That ye wold helpe me on with myn aray; For wit ye wel, I wold be gon ful fayn." "Al this prayer nedeth not, certayn;" Quod she agayn; "com of, and hy you sone, And ye shal see how wel it shal be doon." 245

"But this I dout me greetly, wot ye what, That my felawes ben passed by and gon." "I warant you," quod she, "that ar they nat; For here they shul assemble everichon. Notwithstanding, I counsail you anon; 250 Mak you redy, and tary ye no more, It is no harm, though ye be there afore."

So than I dressed me in myn aray, And asked her, whether it were wel or no? "It is right wel," quod she, "unto my pay; 255 Ye nede not care to what place ever ye go." And whyl that she and I debated so, Cam Diligence, and saw me al in blew: "Sister," quod she, "right wel brouk ye your new!"

Than went we forth, and met at aventure 260 A yong woman, an officer seming: "What is your name," quod I, "good crëature?" "Discrecioun," quod she, "without lesing." "And where," quod I, "is your most abyding?" "I have," quod she, "this office of purchace, 265 Cheef purveyour, that longeth to this place."

"Fair love," quod I, "in al your ordenaunce, What is her name that is the herbegere?" "For sothe," quod she, "her name is Acquaintaunce, A woman of right gracious manere." 270 Than thus quod I, "What straungers have ye here?" "But few," quod she, "of high degree ne low; Ye be the first, as ferforth as I know."

Thus with talës we cam streight to the yate; This yong woman departed was and gon; 275 Cam Diligence, and knokked fast therat; "Who is without?" quod Countenaunce anon. "Trewly," quod I, "fair sister, here is oon!" "Which oon?" quod she, and therwithal she lough; "I, Diligence! ye know me wel ynough." 280

Than opened she the yate, and in we go; With wordës fair she sayd ful gentilly, "Ye are welcome, ywis! are ye no mo?" "Nat oon," quod she, "save this woman and I." "Now than," quod she, "I pray yow hertely, 285 Tak my chambre, as for a whyl, to rest Til your felawës come, I holde it best."

I thanked her, and forth we gon echon Til her chambre, without[en] wordës mo. Cam Diligence, and took her leve anon; 290 "Wher-ever you list," quod I, "now may ye go; And I thank you right hertely also Of your labour, for which god do you meed; I can no more, but Jesu be your speed!"

Than Countenauncë asked me anon, 295 "Your felawship, where ben they now?" quod she. "For sothe," quod I, "they be coming echon; But in certayn, I know nat wher they be, Without I may hem at this window see. Here wil I stande, awaytinge ever among, 300 For, wel I wot, they wil nat now be long."

Thus as I stood musing ful busily, I thought to take good hede of her aray, Her gown was blew, this wot I verely, Of good fasoun, and furred wel with gray; 305 Upon her sleve her word (this is no nay), Which sayd thus, as my pennë can endyte, _A moi que je voy_, writen with lettres whyte.

Than forth withal she cam streight unto me, "Your word," quod she, "fayn wold I that I knew." 310 "Forsothe," quod I, "ye shal wel knowe and see, And for my word, I have non; this is trew. It is ynough that my clothing be blew, As here-before I had commaundëment; And so to do I am right wel content. 315

But tel me this, I pray you hertely, The steward here, say me, what is her name?" "She hight Largesse, I say you suërly; A fair lady, and of right noble fame. Whan ye her see, ye wil report the same. 320 And under her, to bid you welcome al, There is Belchere, the marshal of the hall.

Now al this whyle that ye here tary stil, Your own maters ye may wel have in mind. But tel me this, have ye brought any bil?" 325 "Ye, ye," quod I, "or els I were behind. Where is there oon, tel me, that I may find To whom that I may shewe my matters playn?" "Surely," quod she, "unto the chamberlayn."

"The chamberlayn?" quod I, "[now] say ye trew?" 330 "Ye, verely," sayd she, "by myne advyse; Be nat aferd; unto her lowly sew." "It shal be don," quod I, "as ye devyse; But ye must knowe her name in any wyse?" "Trewly," quod she, "to tell you in substaunce, 335 Without fayning, her name is Remembraunce.

The secretary yit may not be forget; For she may do right moche in every thing. Wherfore I rede, whan ye have with her met, Your mater hool tel her, without fayning; 340 Ye shal her finde ful good and ful loving." "Tel me her name," quod I, "of gentilnesse." "By my good sooth," quod she, "Avysënesse."

"That name," quod I, "for her is passing good; For every bil and cedule she must see; 345 Now good," quod I, "com, stand there-as I stood; My felawes be coming; yonder they be." "Is it [a] jape, or say ye sooth?" quod she. "In jape? nay, nay; I say you for certain; See how they come togider, twain and twain!" 350

"Ye say ful sooth," quod she, "that is no nay; I see coming a goodly company." "They been such folk," quod I, "I dar wel say, That list to love; thinke it ful verily. And, for my love, I pray you faithfully, 355 At any tyme, whan they upon you cal, That ye wol be good frend unto hem al."

"Of my frendship," quod she, "they shal nat mis, And for their ese, to put therto my payn." "God yelde it you!" quod I; "but tel me this, 360 How shal we know who is the chamberlayn?" "That shal ye wel know by her word, certayn." "What is her word? Sister, I pray you say." "_Plus ne purroy_; thus wryteth she alway."

Thus as we stood togider, she and I, 365 Even at the yate my felawes were echon. So met I hem, as me thought was goodly, And bad hem welcome al, by on and on. Than forth cam [lady] Countenaunce anon; "Ful hertely, fair sisters al," quod she, 370 "Ye be right welcome into this countree.

I counsail you to take a litel rest In my chambre, if it be your plesaunce. Whan ye be there, me thinketh for the best That I go in, and cal Perséveraunce, 375 Because she is oon of your aquaintaunce; And she also wil tel you every thing How ye shal be ruled of your coming."

My felawes al and I, by oon avyse, Were wel agreed to do lyke as she sayd. 380 Than we began to dresse us in our gyse, That folk shuld see we were nat unpurvayd; And good wageours among us there we layd, Which of us was atyred goodliest, And of us al which shuld be praysed best. 385

The porter cam, and brought Perséveraunce; She welcomed us in ful curteys manere: "Think ye nat long," quod she, "your attendaunce; I wil go speke unto the herbergere, That she may purvey for your logging here. 390 Than wil I go unto the chamberlayn To speke for you, and come anon agayn."

And whan [that] she departed was and gon, We saw folkës coming without the wal, So greet people, that nombre coud we non; 395 Ladyes they were and gentilwomen al, Clothed in blew, echon her word withal; But for to knowe her word or her devyse, They cam so thikke, that I might in no wyse.

With that anon cam in Perséveraunce, 400 And where I stood, she cam streight [un]to me. "Ye been," quod she, "of myne olde acquaintaunce; You to enquere, the bolder wolde I be; What word they bere, eche after her degree, I pray you, tel it me in secret wyse; 405 And I shal kepe it close, on warantyse."

"We been," quod I, "fyve ladies al in-fere, And gentilwomen foure in company; Whan they begin to open hir matere, Than shal ye knowe hir wordës by and by; 410 But as for me, I have non verely, And so I told Countenaunce here-before; Al myne aray is blew; what nedeth more?"

"Now than," quod she, "I wol go in agayn, That ye may have knowlege, what ye shuld do." 415 "In sooth," quod I, "if ye wold take the payn, Ye did right moch for us, if ye did so. The rather sped, the soner may we go. Gret cost alway ther is in tarying; And long to sewe, it is a wery thing." 420

Than parted she, and cam again anon; "Ye must," quod she, "come to the chamberlayn." "We been," quod I, "now redy everichon To folowe you whan-ever ye list, certayn. We have non eloquence, to tel you playn; 425 Beseching you we may be so excused, Our trew mening, that it be not refused."

Than went we forth, after Perséveraunce, To see the prees; it was a wonder cace; There for to passe it was greet comb[e]raunce, 430 The people stood so thikke in every place. "Now stand ye stil," quod she, "a litel space; And for your ese somwhat I shal assay, If I can make you any better way."

And forth she goth among hem everichon, 435 Making a way, that we might thorugh pas More at our ese; and whan she had so don, She beckned us to come where-as she was; So after her we folowed, more and las. She brought us streight unto the chamberlayn; 440 There left she us, and than she went agayn.

We salued her, as reson wolde it so, Ful humb[el]ly beseching her goodnesse, In our maters that we had for to do That she wold be good lady and maistresse. 445 "Ye be welcome," quod she, "in sothfastnesse, And see, what I can do you for to plese, I am redy, that may be to your ese."

We folowed her unto the chambre-dore, "Sisters," quod she, "come ye in after me." 450 But wite ye wel, there was a paved flore, The goodliest that any wight might see; And furthermore, about than loked we On eche corner, and upon every wal, The which was mad of berel and cristal; 455

Wherein was graven of stories many oon; First how Phyllis, of womanly pitè, Deyd pitously, for love of Demophoon. Nexte after was the story of Tisbee, How she slew her-self under a tree. 460 Yet saw I more, how in right pitous cas For Antony was slayn Cleopatras.

That other syde was, how Hawes the shene Untrewly was disceyved in her bayn. There was also Annelida the quene, 465 Upon Arcyte how sore she did complayn. Al these stories were graved there, certayn; And many mo than I reherce you here; It were to long to tel you al in-fere.

And, bicause the wallës shone so bright, 470 With fyne umple they were al over-sprad, To that intent, folk shuld nat hurte hir sight; And thorugh it the stories might be rad. Than furthermore I went, as I was lad; And there I saw, without[en] any fayl, 475 A chayrë set, with ful riche aparayl.

And fyve stages it was set fro the ground, Of cassidony ful curiously wrought; With four pomelles of golde, and very round, Set with saphyrs, as good as coud be thought; 480 That, wot ye what, if it were thorugh sought, As I suppose, fro this countrey til Inde, Another suche it were right fer to finde!

For, wite ye wel, I was right nere that, So as I durst, beholding by and by; 485 Above ther was a riche cloth of estate, Wrought with the nedle ful straungëly, Her word thereon; and thus it said trewly, _A endurer_, to tel you in wordës few, With grete letters, the better I hem knew. 490

Thus as we stode, a dore opened anon; A gentilwoman, semely of stature, Beringe a mace, cam out, her-selfe aloon; Sothly, me thought, a goodly crëature! She spak nothing to lowde, I you ensure, 495 Nor hastily, but with goodly warning: "Mak room," quod she, "my lady is coming!"

With that anon I saw Perséveraunce, How she held up the tapet in her hand. I saw also, in right good ordinaunce, 500 This greet lady within the tapet stand, Coming outward, I wol ye understand; And after her a noble company, I coud nat tel the nombre sikerly.

Of their namës I wold nothing enquere 505 Further than suche as we wold sewe unto, Sauf oo lady, which was the chauncellere, Attemperaunce; sothly her name was so. For us nedeth with her have moch to do In our maters, and alway more and more. 510 And, so forth, to tel you furthermore,

Of this lady her beautè to discryve, My conning is to simple, verely; For never yet, the dayës of my lyve, So inly fair I have non seen, trewly. 515 In her estate, assured utterly, There wanted naught, I dare you wel assure, That longed to a goodly crëature.

And furthermore, to speke of her aray, I shal you tel the maner of her gown; 520 Of clothe of gold ful riche, it is no nay; The colour blew, of a right good fasoun; In tabard-wyse the slevës hanging doun; And what purfyl there was, and in what wyse, So as I can, I shal it you devyse. 525

After a sort the coller and the vent, Lyk as ermyne is mad in purfeling; With grete perlës, ful fyne and orient, They were couchèd, al after oon worching, With dyamonds in stede of powdering; 530 The slevës and purfilles of assyse; They were [y-]mad [ful] lyke, in every wyse.

Aboute her nekke a sort of fair rubyes, In whyte floures of right fyne enamayl; Upon her heed, set in the freshest wyse, 535 A cercle with gret balays of entayl; That, in ernest to speke, withouten fayl, For yonge and olde, and every maner age, It was a world to loke on her visage.

Thus coming forth, to sit in her estat, 540 In her presence we kneled down echon, Presentinge up our billes, and, wot ye what, Ful humb[el]ly she took hem, by on and on; When we had don, than cam they al anon, And did the same, eche after her manere, 545 Knelinge at ones, and rysinge al in-fere.

Whan this was don, and she set in her place, The chamberlayn she did unto her cal; And she, goodly coming til her a-pace, Of her entent knowing nothing at al, 550 "Voyd bak the prees," quod she, "up to the wal; Mak larger roum, but look ye do not tary, And tak these billës to the secretary."

The chamberlayn did her commaundëment, And cam agayn, as she was bid to do; 555 The secretary there being present, The billës were delivered her also, Not only ours, but many other mo. Than the lady, with good advyce, agayn Anon withal called her chamberlayn. 560

"We wol," quod she, "the first thing that ye do, The secretary, make her come anon With her billës; and thus we wil also, In our presence she rede hem everichon, That we may takë good advyce theron 565 Of the ladyes, that been of our counsayl; Look this be don, withouten any fayl."

The chamberlayn, whan she wiste her entent, Anon she did the secretary cal: "Let your billës," quod she, "be here present, 570 My lady it wil." "Madame," quod she, "I shal." "And in presence she wil ye rede hem al." "With good wil; I am redy," quod she, "At her plesure, whan she commaundeth me."

And upon that was mad an ordinaunce, 575 They that cam first, hir billës shuld be red. Ful gentelly than sayd Perséveraunce, "Resoun it wold that they were sonest sped." Anon withal, upon a tapet spred, The secretary layde hem doun echon; 580 Our billës first she redde hem on by on.

The first lady, bering in her devyse _Sans que jamais_, thus wroot she in her bil; Complayning sore and in ful pitous wyse Of promesse mad with faithful hert and wil 585 And so broken, ayenst al maner skil, Without desert alwayes on her party; In this mater desyring remedy.

Her next felawës word was in this wyse, _Une sans chaungier_; and thus she did complayn, 590 Though she had been guerdoned for her servyce, Yet nothing lyke as she that took the payn; Wherfore she coude in no wyse her restrayn, But in this cas sewe until her presence, As reson woldë, to have recompence. 595

So furthermore, to speke of other twayn, Oon of hem wroot, after her fantasy, _Oncques puis lever_; and, for to tel you plain, Her complaynt was ful pitous, verely, For, as she sayd, ther was gret reson why; 600 And, as I can remembre this matere, I shal you tel the proces, al in-fere.

Her bil was mad, complayninge in her gyse, That of her joy, her comfort and gladnesse Was no suretee; for in no maner wyse 605 She fond therin no point of stablenesse, Now il, now wel, out of al sikernesse; Ful humbelly desyringe, of her grace, Som remedy to shewe her in this cace.

Her felawe made her bil, and thus she sayd, 610 In playning wyse; there-as she loved best, Whether she were wroth or wel apayd She might nat see, whan [that] she wold faynest; And wroth she was, in very ernest; To tel her word, as ferforth as I wot, 615 _Entierment vostre_, right thus she wroot.

And upon that she made a greet request With herte and wil, and al that might be don As until her that might redresse it best; For in her mind thus might she finde it sone, 620 The remedy of that, which was her boon; Rehersing [that] that she had sayd before, Beseching her it might be so no more.

And in lyk wyse as they had don before, The gentilwomen of our company 625 Put up hir billës; and, for to tel you more, Oon of hem wroot _cest sanz dire_, verily; And her matere hool to specify, With-in her bil she put it in wryting; And what it sayd, ye shal have knowleching. 630

It sayd, god wot, and that ful pitously, Lyke as she was disposed in her hert, No misfortune that she took grevously; Al oon to her it was, the joy and smert, Somtyme no thank for al her good desert. 635 Other comfort she wanted non coming, And so used, it greved her nothing.

Desyringe her, and lowly béseching, That she for her wold seke a better way, As she that had ben, al her dayes living, 640 Stedfast and trew, and so wil be alway. Of her felawe somwhat I shal you say, Whos bil was red next after forth, withal; And what it ment rehersen you I shal.

_En dieu est_, she wroot in her devyse; 645 And thus she sayd, withouten any fayl, Her trouthë might be taken in no wyse Lyke as she thought, wherfore she had mervayl; For trouth somtyme was wont to take avayl In every matere; but al that is ago; 650 The more pitè, that it is suffred so.

Moch more there was, wherof she shuld complayn, But she thought it to greet encomb[e]raunce So moch to wryte; and therfore, in certayn, In god and her she put her affiaunce 655 As in her worde is mad a remembraunce; Beseching her that she wolde, in this cace, Shewe unto her the favour of her grace.

The third, she wroot, rehersing her grevaunce, Ye! wot ye what, a pitous thing to here; 660 For, as me thought, she felt gret displesaunce, Oon might right wel perceyve it by her chere, And no wonder; it sat her passing nere. Yet loth she was to put it in wryting, But nede wol have his cours in every thing. 665

_Soyes en sure_, this was her word, certayn, And thus she wroot, but in a litel space; There she lovëd, her labour was in vayn, For he was set al in another place; Ful humblely desyring, in that cace, 670 Som good comfort, her sorow to appese, That she might livë more at hertes ese.

The fourth surely, me thought, she liked wele, As in her porte and in her behaving; And _Bien moneste_, as fer as I coud fele, 675 That was her word, til her wel belonging. Wherfore to her she prayed, above al thing, Ful hertely (to say you in substaunce) That she wold sende her good continuaunce.

"Ye have rehersed me these billës al, 680 But now, let see somwhat of your entent." "It may so hap, paraventure, ye shal. Now I pray you, whyle I am here present, Ye shal, pardè, have knowlege, what I ment. But thus I say in trouthe, and make no fable, 685 The case itself is inly lamentable.

And wel I wot, that ye wol think the same, Lyke as I say, whan ye have herd my bil." "Now good, tel on, I hate you, by saynt Jame!" "Abyde a whyle; it is nat yet my wil. 690 Yet must ye wite, by reson and by skil, Sith ye know al that hath be don before:--" And thus it sayd, without[en] wordes more.

"Nothing so leef as deth to come to me For fynal ende of my sorowes and payn; 695 What shulde I more desyre, as semë ye? And ye knewe al aforn it for certayn, I wot ye wolde; and, for to tel you playn, Without her help that hath al thing in cure I can nat think that I may longe endure. 700

As for my trouthe, it hath be proved wele, To say the sothe, I can [you] say no more, Of ful long tyme, and suffred every dele In pacience, and kepe it al in store; Of her goodnesse besechinge her therfore 705 That I might have my thank in suche [a] wyse As my desert deserveth of justyse."

Whan these billës were rad everichon, This lady took a good advysement; And hem to answere, ech by on and on, 710 She thought it was to moche in her entent; Wherfore she yaf hem in commaundëment, In her presence to come, bothe oon and al, To yeve hem there her answer general.

What did she than, suppose ye verely? 715 She spak herself, and sayd in this manere, "We have wel seen your billës by and by, And some of hem ful pitous for to here. We wol therfore ye knowe al this in-fere, Within short tyme our court of parliment 720 Here shal be holde, in our palays present;

And in al this wherin ye find you greved, Ther shal ye finde an open remedy In suche [a] wyse, as ye shul be releved Of al that ye reherce here, thoroughly. 725 As for the date, ye shul know verily, That ye may have a space in your coming; For Diligence shal it tel you by wryting."

We thanked her in our most humble wyse, Our felauship, echon by oon assent, 730 Submitting us lowly til her servyse. For, as we thought, we had our travayl spent In suche [a] wyse as we helde us content. Than eche of us took other by the sleve, And forth withal, as we shuld take our leve. 735

Al sodainly the water sprang anon In my visage, and therwithal I wook:-- "Where am I now?" thought I; "al this is gon;" And al amased, up I gan to look. With that, anon I went and made this book, 740 Thus simplely rehersing the substaunce, Bicause it shuld not out of remembraunce.'--

'Now verily, your dreem is passing good, And worthy to be had in rémembraunce; For, though I stande here as longe as I stood, 745 It shuld to me be non encomb[e]raunce; I took therin so inly greet plesaunce. But tel me now, what ye the book do cal? For I must wite.' 'With right good wil ye shal:

As for this book, to say you very right, 750 And of the name to tel the certeyntè, L'ASSEMBLÈ DE DAMES, thus it hight; How think ye?' 'That the name is good, pardè!' 'Now go, farwel! for they cal after me, My felawes al, and I must after sone; 755 Rede wel my dreem; for now my tale is doon.'

HERE ENDETH THE BOOK OF ASSEMBLE DE DAMYS.

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); _compared with_ A. (Addit. 34360); _and_ T. (Trin. R. 3. 19). TITLE. Th. The assemble of ladies; T. the Boke callyd Assemble de Damys. 1. A. leef; Th. lefe. 2. Th. ceason. 3. Th. corne; gathered. A. in; Th. T. _om._ A. sheef; Th. shefe. 4. Th. gardyne aboute twayne; noone. 6. Th. mynde dothe fal. 7. Th. fyfthe; A. T. fift. A. T. _om._ the. Th. al. 13. Th. T. al; A. _om._ 16. Th. sayd ayen; A. seyde ageyne. 17. Th. aboute. 18. _I supply_ of. 19. Th. ayen; A. ageyn. 21. Th. lythe. [_Henceforward unmarked readings are from_ Thynne.]

22. _All_ me. A. wite; Th. T. wete. anone. 23. se; taryeng. 24. Abyde; ben. 25. A. wite; Th. T. wete. 26. great. 27. desyre; processe. 28. playne. 29. noone. 30. one. 31. A. oure; Th. T. _om._ T. A. besynes was; Th. besynesses were doone. 34. _All_ went (_twice_); _read_ wend (= weened). 35. A. amyddis; Th. T. in the myd. aboute. 36. sothe. A. T. fer; Th. ferre. behynde. 37. ferforthe; beste. 38. mynde. 40. forthe. 41. A. so (_for_ sore). 42. wrathe. A. stept (_for_ did step). 43. A. thus; T. Th. _om._ -selfe. 44. gate. 46. great. 47. came; A. com. forthe; strayte. 48. fayre. 49. _All_ Made. T. craftyly; A. Th. crafty. 51. T. dew; Th. dewe; A. _om._

53. masonrye. A. T. compas; Th. compace. 54. T. steyers. 55. whele. 56. potte. A. Margoleyne; Th. Margelayne; T. Margelayn. 58. -selfe; folke. 59. great. 60. howe. 61. A. Ne moubliemies; Th. Ne momblysnesse; T. Ne momblynes. A. souenez; T. souenes; Th.souenesse. 62. _All_ penses. 63. A. No no; Th. T. Ne (!). wote. 64. A. beneth; Th. T. and benche (!). Th. smoth. 65. hewe. 67. one. A. who; Th. T. _om._ none; knewe. 68. streames newe and newe. 70. came. 71. A. thus; Th. T. _om._ 74. muste. T. nedys; Th. nedest; A. nede. A. as; Th. T. _om._ 76. A. musyng; Th. T. _om._ 77. downe. 78. A. com; Th. came. 80. Th. great. 82. sadde. A. ful (2); Th. T. _om._

84. A. com; Th.came. _I supply_ there. 85. gowne. A. embrowded; T. enbrowdyd; Th. enbraudred. 86. A. souenez; Th. T. stones. 87. A. On; Th. T. In. A. the; Th. T. her. _All_ worde; _read_ word was. 88. A. _Bien loielment_ as I cowde me deuyse. 89. A. eu_er_y; T. many (_om._ in); Th. any. 91. _All_ was called. 92. A. than; Th. T. _om._ bolde. 94. agayne; curtesly; tolde. 95. be. 97. great. 99. stande. 100. A. wit; Th. T. wete. A. ful; Th. T. right. 102. hussher (A. T. vssher); certayne. 103. rodde; beare; playne. 104. knowe. 105. A. P_er_teyneng; Th. T. Apertaynyng. A. vnto; Th. T. to. 107. warne; -one. 108. shulde. 109. counsayle; nowe anone. 110. gone. 111. shulde. 112. _I supply_ no.

113. A. nygh; Th. T. not(!). behynde. 114. knewe. 115. beare. 116. muste; blewe. 119. T. wordys; sleuys. 120. _So_ A.; Th. T. be not abasshed in no maner wyse. 122. Make. 124. grefe. 125. displeased. 126. helpe. A. shul; Th. T. shal. eased. 127. T. (_heading_): Diligence Guyde. 129. A. shul; Th. T. shal. 130. A. shul; Th. T. shal. A. one (= oon); Th. T. _om._ 132. one; waye. 135. A. I sey yow for. 136. great. 137. porte; playne. 139. A. T. farewele now have I. 140. A. quod (_for_ sayd.). 141. ferre. 144. wote.

145. Nowe; A. _om._ 147. one. Th. amonges; A. T. among. 148. A. Nat one quod I ey; Th. Not one than sayd I eygh; T. Not oon then sayd I O. 149. A. they; Th. T. I. done. 150. Th. Nowe; lyfe. 152. trouthe. T. A. nat; Th. not. 153. questyons. Th. be to large; A. _om._ to. 154. A. medle; Th. meddle. A. is (_in later hand_); Th. T. _om_, 155. vnderstande. 157. one; lande. 158. none. 160. hye. A. shul; Th. shal. fynde. 161. A. fanes; Th. phanes; T. vanes. wynde. 162. A. _om._ and. A. parlours; Th. parlers; T. parlors. A. both; Th. T. _om._ A. oo; Th. T. a. sorte. 164. disporte. 166. wote. 167. A. toke; Th. T. take. 168. Th. wol; A. T. wold. 169. A. this; Th. T. the. nowe. 170. regarde; playne. 171. A. verray; T. v_er_rey; Th. verey. wote. 172. A. _om._ right. 173. A. T. ful; Th. right.

174. T. shulde I; Th. I shulde; A. shal I. 175. A. that; Th. T. _om._ 176. A. at; Th. T. of. 177. fynde. 178. Th. T. ye (_for_ it); A. _om._ (_but_ it _seems required_). 180. _So_ A.; Th. T. you tel howe ye shal you. 181. howe. Th. her; A. T. this. 182. A. T. yow; Th. ye. gyue. 183. Th. _om._ that. T. depart; Th. parte; A. part. 184. A. T. soth; Th. faythe. great. 185. wote. 186. thanke; great. 187. comforte. A. suche; Th. T. _om._ 188. nowe; bolde; fayle. 189. A. auise; Th. aduyce. Th. and good; A. T. _om._ good. 198. courte. 201. nowe. 202. A. that; Th. T. _om._ 205. wolde se howe. A. were; Th. T. was. arayde.

207. worde; sayde. 208. apayde. 209. A. For; Th. T. And. 210. trewe; herde. 211. nowe. 212. coude. 213. Howe farre. A. that; Th. T. the. 215. A. onward; Th. T. outwarde. 217. _So_ A.; Th. T. wolde not we were the last. 218. A. parted; Th. T. departed. Th. T. at the; A. _om._ the. 219. _I supply_ a. T. and an esy. 221. far. A. onward; Th. T. outwarde. se. 222. Nowe. 225. A. myn hert quod she I gre me wele (_better?_). 226. A. shul; Th. shal. 227. A. dele; T. dell_e_; Th. dyl. 228. A. was fer gon; Th. T. was past farre. 229. sawe; came. 230. aboute. 232. fou_n_de I one. 233. myne. 234. meruayle. 236. A. Yis yis; Th. Yes yes. herde.

237. T. A. your; Th. her. -one. 238. A. that; Th. T. _om._ A. shal. 239. Nowe. 240. A. this (_for_ the). 241. wolde; myne. 242. wolde; gone. A. ful; Th. T. ryght. fayne. 243. certayne. 244. agayne come; hye. 245. se. A. how wele; Th. T. anone. done. 246. doute; greatly wote. 247. T. byn; A. bien; Th. be. gone. 248. A. waraunt; Th. T. warne. 249. A. T. shul; Th. shal. -one. 250. counsayle; anone. 251. A. ye (_twice_); Th. T. you (_twice_). 252. harme thoughe. A. afore; Th. T. before. 257. A. while; Th. whyles. 258. Came; sawe; blewe. 259. _All_ broke (_for_ brouk). _Before_ 260: Th. T. Discrecyon purvyour. 260. wente. 261. yonge; semynge. 263. Dyscrecyon; lesynge. 264. abydynge. 266. Chefe.

_Before_ 267: Th. T. Acquayntaunce herbyger. 267. Fayre. 268. A. herbegyer; Th. T. herbygere. 272. fewe; hyghe degre; lowe. 273. knowe. _Before_ 274: Th. Countenaunce porter. 274. came. 275. yonge. 276. Came; therate. 277. anone. 278. Truely; fayre; one. 279. Whiche one; loughe. 280. knowe; ynoughe. 281. T. yate; A. Th. gate. 282. fayre. 284. one. 285. Nowe. 286. Take. A. as; Th. T. _om._ whyle. 288. A. gon; Th. go. A. eche on; Th. T. euerychone. 289. _All_ without (!). 290. Came; toke; leaue onone. 291. A. yow; Th. T. ye. nowe. 292. thanke. 293. laboure; whiche; mede. 294. spede. 295. anone. 296. A. now; Th. T. _om._ 297. A. eche one; Th. T. euerychone.

298. _So_ A; Th. T. But where they are I knowe no certaynte. 299. wyndowe se. 300. amonge. 301. A. now; Th. _om._ 302. stode musynge. 304. gowne; blewe; wote. 305. facyon. 306. worde. 307. A. The whiche. 308. A. _O_ (_for_ _A_). A. lettres; Th. letters. 309. A. Than ferforth as she com. came. A. vnto; Th. to. 310. T. worde; Th. wordes; A. _om._ (_see_ 312). fayne. 311. se. 312. worde; none; trewe. 313. ynoughe; blewe. _Above_ 316: Th. Largesse stewarde; T. Belchere Marchall. 318. T. sewerly; Th. surely. 319. fayre. A. right of nobil. 320. se; reporte. 322. A. Bealchiere; T. Belchere; Th. Belchier. A. the (1); Th. T. _om._ 323. Th. Nowe. 324. A. matiers. mynde. 326. A. or; Th. T. and. behynde. 327. one; fynde.

328. playne. 329, 330. Chamberlayne. _Above_ 330: Th. T. Remembraunce chamberlayne. 330. _I supply_ now. trewe. 332. aferde. A. aferd but lowly til hir. Th. sewe; T. sew; A. shewe. 333. done. 334. A. me (_for_ ye). 335. T. A. tell_e_; Th. shewe. 336. A. T. Without; Th. Withoute_n_. _Above_ 337: T. Auysen[e]s. 337. A. yit may nat; Th. T. she may not yet be. 338. A. may do; Th. T. doth. thynge. 339. A. T. met; Th. ymet. 340. matere hole; faynynge. 341. louynge. 342. A. gentillesse. 343. sothe. 344. A. name; Th. T. _om._ 345. se. 346. Nowe; come stande; stode. 348. _I supply_ a. sothe. 349. A. it (_for_ you). certayne. 350. Se; twayne (_twice_). 351. sothe. A. it (_for_ that). 352. se comynge. 353. ben suche folke. A. I dare wele; T. I dar_e_; Th. dare I. 354. A. ful; Th. T. _om._ 356. A. T. yow; Th. me (!). 357. frende. T. vnto; A. Th. to.

358. frenshyp; mysse. 359. ease; payne. 360. A. telle me; Th. T. take you. 361. Howe. A. whiche (_for_ who). chamberlayne. 362. worde certaine. 363. worde. A. T. suster. 365. stode. 366. echone. 368. one (_twice_). 369. A. forth com; Th. T. came forth. _I supply_ lady. 370. fayre. 372. counsayle. 374. Th. thynketh; Th. A. thynke it. 376. A. oon; Th. T. _om._ 377. thinge. 378. Howe; cominge. 379. one. A. Avise; Th. T. aduyse. 380. sayde. 381. T. wyse (_for_ gyse). 382. folke. A. se; Th. T. say. vnpurueyde. 383. A. wageours; Th. T. wagers. amonge; layde. 384. most goodlest (_read_ goodliest); _see_ 452. 385. whiche shulde. A. And whiche of vs al preysed shuld be best. 386. came. 387. A. ful; T. Th. _om._ A. T. curteys; Th. curtyse. 388. Thinke. Th. T. of your; A. _om._ of.

389. A. herbergier; Th. herbigere. 390. A. may; Th. T. _om._ lodginge. 391. chamberlayne. 392. anone agayne. 393. _I supply_ that. 394. sawe; comynge. 395. great; coude; none. 397. echone; worde. 398. worde. 399. Th. T. I ne; A. we (_om._ ne). 400. anone came. 401. stode; came. _All_ to. 404. worde. 405. A. pray yow; Th. T. you pray. secrete. 407. A. quod I fyve ladies; Th. fyue ladyes quod I. 409, 410. her. 412. tolde. 413. blewe. 414. A. in; Th. T. _om._ 415. shulde. 416. soth; wolde; payne. 417. moche. T. wold (_for 2nd_ did). 418. A. ye (_for_ we). 419. Great; tarienge. 420. longe. A. sue. thynge.

421. came agayne anone. 422. -layne. 423. A. T. We bien quod I now redy; Th. We be nowe redy quod I. -one. 424. A. yow (_for_ ye). certayne. 425. playne. 426. Besechynge. 427. trewe meanynge. 428. wente. 429. se. 430. great combraunce (_read_ comberaunce). 431. stode. 432. Nowe stande. 433. ease. A. shal I. 435. amonge; -one. 436. T. thorow; Th. thorugh; A. thurgh. passe. 437. ease; done. 438. T. beckenyd; Th. beckende. A. there (_for_ where). 440. -layne. 441. lefte. 442. T. salutyd. reason. 443. Th. great; T. gret; A. _om._ (_after_ her). 444. A. matiers. 445. wolde. 447. se; A. so. please. 448. ease. 451. A. wite; Th. wete; T. wote. 452. se.

453. aboute. 454. A. eche a corn_er_. 455. A. The; Th. T. _om._ made. A. berel; Th. Burel; T. byralle. 456. one. 457. howe. 458. A. Deyd; Th. Dyed. Demophone. 459. Th. Tysbe; A. T. Thesbe. 460. slowe; -selfe. 461. sawe; howe. Th. T. a right; A. _om._ a. 462. slayne. 463. Th. T. was Hawes the shene; A. was how Enclusene (? _error for_ Melusine). 464. A. Vntriewly was; Th. T. Ful vntrewly. bayne. 466. howe; complayne. 467. certayne. 469. longe. 470. shone (= shoon). 471. Th. A. vmple; T. vmpylle. 472. folke shulde. 473. Th. through; A. thurgh (= thorugh; _see_ 436). 475. sawe. _All_ without. fayle. 476. aparayle. 477. grounde. 479. rounde. 480. coude. 481. wote. T. thorow; A. thurgh (= thorugh); Th. through (_see_ 473). 482. A. til; Th. T. to. 483. farre.

484. A. wite; Th. wete; T. wot. 487. T. nedylle. 488. worde. 489. A. _endurer_; Th. T. _endure_. _All_ you. 490. great; knewe. 491. anone. 493. came; alone. 494. Sothely. 495. spake nothynge. 496. A. T. hastily; Th. hastely. warnynge. 497. A. roome; Th. T. rome. comynge. 498. sawe. 499. helde; hande. 500. sawe. A. goode; Th. T. goodly. 501. great; stande. 502. -stande. 504. coude. 505. (_above_): T. Attemperaunce chaunclere. wolde. 506. wolde. T. sew; A. sue. 507. A. Sauf oo; Th. Saue a. 508. sothely. 509. moche. 510. A. matiers. alwaye. 511. forthe. 513. connynge. 514. A. dayes of al my.

515. fayre. A. none sene; Th. sene none; T. noon seen. 517. A. you; Th. T. _om._ 519-532. _Missing in_ A. 520. gowne. 522. coloure blewe. T. good; Th. goodly. facyoun. 523. Th. taberde; T. taberd. T. dou_n_; Th. adowne. 526. sorte; vente (T. vent). 527. T. ermyn; Th. Armyne. made; purfelynge. 528. Th. great; T. gret. 529. one worchynge. 530. Th. diamondes; T. dyamond_es_. powderynge. 531. T. purfyllys; Th. purfel (!). 532. _Both_ made lyke (!). 533. sorte. 534. enamayle. 535. A. fresshest; Th. T. fayrest. 536. A. with; Th. T. of. great; entayle. 537. A. withouten; Th. T. without. fayle. 539. worlde. A. T. loke; Th. loken. 540. comynge forthe; estate. 541. downe. A. eche on; Th. T. euerychone. 542. A. T. vp; Th. _om._ wote. 543. toke; one and one.

544. done; came; anone. 547. A. Whan; Th. T. And wha_n_. done. 548. -layne. 549. A. til; T. to; Th. vnto. 551. Voyde backe; preace. 552. Make. A. larger; Th. T. large. roume; loke. 553. take; secretarye. 554. -layne. 555. came agayne. 556. -tarye. 558. onely. 559. agayne. 560. -layne. 562. Th. secretarye ye do make come; A. T. secretary make hir come. 565. maye. A. avise; T. auyse. 566. counsayle. 567. Loke; done; fayle. 568. A. The chambrelayn whan she wist; Th. T. Whan the chamberlayne wyste of. 569. -tarye. 571. A. _om._ it. 572. A. ye rede hem al; T. yow there cal (!); Th. ye hem cal (!). 573. A. gode.

576. came. Th. shuld; A. T. to. T. red; A. Th. redde. 578. Rayson. A. T. wold that; Th. wyl. spedde. 579. spredde. 580. -tarie; downe echone. 581. T. rad. T. theym (= hem); Th. A. _om._ one by one. 582. bearyng. 583. A. T. in; Th. on. 585. made. 587. deserte; partye. 588. A. matier. Th. T. a remedy; A. _om._ a. 589. A. next felawes word; Th. T. next folowing her word. 590. A. Une; Th. T. Vng. T. saunz chaunger. co_m_playne. 592. toke; payne. 593. restrayne. 594. case. 595. reason. 596. twayne. 597. wrote. 598. A. Oncques; Th. Vncques; T. Vnques. playne. 599. A. grevous (_for_ pitous). 600. great reason. 601. A. And; Th. T. _om._ 602. processe. 603. made. 604. comforte. 605. Th. surete; A. suerte; T. seurte.

606. A. fonde; Th. T. sayd (!). 607. Nowe; wele. 608. Th. humbly; A. humble (!); _read_ humbelly. her high grace; A. _om._ high. 609. A. Som remedy to chewe (!) in; Th. T. Soone to shewe her remedy in. 610. sayde. 611. playnynge. 612. wrothe. wele apayde. 613. se; wolde. _I supply_ that. 614. wrothe. 615. worde; wote. 616. wrote. 617. great. 618. done. 620. mynde. A. thus; Th. T. there. 621. whiche; boone. 622. Rehersynge. _I supply_ that. 623. Besechynge. 624. lyke; done. 626. A. vp; Th. T. _om._ 627. One; wrote. 628. hole. A. Of hir compleynt also the cause why; T. _om. this line_. 629. writinge. 630. A. knowlachyng; Th. T. knowynge. 631. wote. 632. herte. 633. toke. 634. one. A. til. A. it; Th. T. _om._ smerte. 635. thanke; deserte.

636. comforte. A. wayted; Th. T. wanted. comynge. 637. -thynge. 638. besechynge. 639. A. T. for her wold; Th. wolde for her. 640. A. al; Th. T. _om._ lyuynge. 641. trewe. A. so; Th. T. _om._ 642. saye. 643. nexte. A. after; Th. T. _om._ forthe. 645. _diu_; wrote. 646. A. any; Th. T. _om._ fayle. 647. T. takyn; Th. A. take. 648. meruaile. 649. auayle. 652. shulde. 653. great. _All_ encombraunce. 654. moche. 655. Th. T. al her; A. _om._ al. 656. made. 659. wrote. 660. thinge. 661. felte great. 662. A. _om._ right. 663. sate; passynge. 664. lothe; wrytynge. 665. A. his; T. a; Th. _om._ thinge.

666. A. _Se iour_ (for _Soyes_). worde certayne. 667. wrote. A. but; Th. T. _om._ 668. vayne. 670. Th. T. humbly; A. humble (!); _see_ 607. desyrynge. 671. comforte; sorowe. 672. ease. 675. Th. _moneste_; T. A. _monest_. farre; coude. 676. worde. 678. T. tell (_for_ say). 679. wolde. 681. lete se. 683. Nowe. 684. A. T. parde have knowlache; Th. haue knowlege parde. 686. selfe. 687. wote. A. that; Th. T. _om._ thinke. 688. herde. 689. Nowe. _All_ hate (= hote). 691. A. wite; Th. T. wete. reason. 692. A. knowe al that hath be done afore; Th. T. haue knowlege of that was done before. 693. A. it; Th. T. it is (_om._ is). _All_ without. A. any (_for_ wordes). 694. Nothynge. A. lief; T. leef; Th. lefe. dethe. 695. payne.

697. aforne; certayne. 698. wote. 699. helpe; thinge. 700. thinke. T. I; Th. A. it. 702. _I supply_ you. 703. longe. 706. thanke _I supply_ a. 707. deserte. A. des_er_vith; Th. T. serueth. 708. -one. 709. A. This lady; Th. T. The ladyes. toke. 710. A. ech; Th. T. _om._ 712. A. yaf; Th. T. yaue. T. in; Th. A. _om._ 713. one. 714. A. hem there hir answere; Th. T. hem her answere in. 716. spake; -selfe. 717. sene. 718. A. T. ful; Th. _om._ 720. shorte; courte. 721. A. T. paleys. 722. fynde. 724. _I supply_ a. A. shul; Th. T. shal. 725. T. thoroughly; Th. throughly; A. triewly. 726. shal (_see_ 724); knowe. 728. _So_ Th.; A. shal bryng it yow bi; T. shall hyt yow tell by.

729. moste. 730. eche one by one. 732. A. vs (_for 1st_ we). trauayle. 733. _I supply_ a. 734. toke. 735. forthe; shulde. 736. sprange anone. 737. woke. 738. nowe; gone. 739. A. Al amased vp; Th. T. Al mased and vp (_read_ And al amased up). loke. 740. boke. 741. _All_ simply. 742. shulde. Th. T. be out; A. out (_om._ be). 743. Nowe; dreame. 745. stode. 746. shulde; none. _All_ encombraunce. 747. toke; great. 748. nowe; boke. 749. A. wite; Th. T. wete. 750. boke. 751. _So_ A.; Th. T. Of the name to tel you in certaynte (T. certayn). 752. A. La semble; T. Lassembyll. 753. Howe thynke. A. the; Th. T. _om._ 754. Nowe. 756. dreme; done. COLOPHON: _in_ T. _only_.

* * * * *

XXII. A GOODLY BALADE.

¶ Moder of norture, best beloved of al, And fresshest flour, to whom good thrift god sende. Your child, if it list you me so to cal, Al be I unable my-self so to pretende, To your discrecioun I recommende 5 Myn herte and al, with every circumstaunce, Al hoolly to be under your governaunce.

Most desyre I, and have, and ever shal Thing, whiche might your hertës ese amende; Have me excused, my power is but smal; 10 Natheles, of right ye ought[e] to commende My good[e] will, which fayn wolde entende To do you service; for al my suffisaunce Is hoolly to be under your governaunce.

_Meulx un_: in herte, which never shal apal, 15 Ay fresshe and newe, and right glad to dispende My tyme in your servyce, what-so befal, Beseching your excéllence to defende My simplenesse, if ignoraunce offende In any wyse; sith that myn affiaunce 20 Is hoolly to be under your governaunce.

¶ Daisy of light! very ground of comfort! The sonnes doughter ye hight, as I rede; For when he westreth, farwel your disport! By your nature anon, right for pure drede 25 Of the rude night, that with his boystous wede Of derkness shadoweth our emispere, Than closen ye, my lyves lady dere!

Dawing the day to his kinde resort, Phebus your fader, with his stremes rede, 30 Adorneth the morow, cónsuming the sort Of misty cloudës, that wolde overlede Trewe humble hertës with hir mistihede, Nere comfort a-dayes, whan eyën clere Disclose and sprede my lyves lady dere. 35

[_A stanza lost; lines 36-42._]

¶ _Je vouldray_:--but [the] gret[e] god disposeth And maketh casuel by his providence Such thing as mannës frelë wit purposeth; 45 Al for the best, if that our conscience Nat grucche it, but in humble pacience It receyve; for god saith, without[e] fable, A faithful hertë ever is acceptáble.

Cautels who useth gladly, gloseth; 50 To eschewe suche it is right high prudence; What ye said[e] onës, [now] myn herte opposeth, "That my wryting japës, in your absence, Plesed you moche bet than my presence!" Yet can I more, ye be nat excusáble; 55 A faithful hertë ever is acceptáble.

Quaketh my penne; my spirit supposeth That in my wryting ye finde wol som offence; Myn herte welkeneth thus sone, anon it +roseth; Now hot, now cold, and eft in [al] fervence; 60 That mis is, is caused of negligence And not of malice; therfor beth merciable; A faithful hertë ever is acceptáble.

LENVOY.

¶ Forth, complaynt! forth, lakking eloquence, Forth, litel lettre, of endyting lame! 65 I have besought my ladies sapience Of thy behalfe, to accept in game Thyn inabilitee; do thou the same! Abyd! have more yet; _Je serve Jonesse_. Now forth; I close thee, in holy Venus name; 70 Thee shal unclose my hertes governeresse.

_Finis._

_From_ Th. (Thynne's ed. 1532). TITLE. A goodly balade of Chaucer. _I note here rejected spellings._ 3. childe; lust. 4. selfe. 5. discrecion; recomende. 7. holy. 9. ease. 10. small. 11. Nathelesse; ought. 12. good; whiche fayne. 14. holy. 17. befall. 20. sythe. 21. holy; ben.

22. grounde; comforte. 24. disporte. 27. derkenesse. 29. resorte. 30. And Phebus (_I omit_ And); father. 31. morowe; sorte. 32. wolden. 34. comforte. 43. great (_read_ the grete). 45. Suche; mans (_read_ mannes); witte. 47. grutche. 48. _Read_ Receyve it (?); saythe withoute. 52. sayd; _I supply_ now. 53. _Read_ wryting of iapes (?). 54. Pleased; better (_read_ bet). 58. _Omit_ wol (?); some. 59. ryseth (!); _read_ roseth. 60. Nowe hotte, nowe colde; efte; _I supply_ al.

61. mysse. 62. therfore bethe. 64. _Headed_ Lenuoye. Forthe; forthe lackyng. 65. Forthe. 68. inabylite. 69. Iouesse. 70. Nowe; the. 71. The.

* * * * *

XXIII. GO FORTH, KING.

Rex sine sapiencia: Episcopus sine doctrina. Dominus sine consilio: Mulier sine castitate. Miles sine probitate: Iudex sine Iusticia. Diues sine elemosina: Populus sine lege. Senex sine religione: Seruus sine timore. Pauper superbus: Adolescens sine obediencia.

Go forth, king, rule thee by sapience; Bishop, be able to minister doctryne; Lord, to trew consayl yeve audience; Womanheed, to chastitè ever enclyne; Knight, let thy dedes worship determyne; 5 Be rightwis, jugë, in saving thy name; Rich, do almesse, lest thou lese blis with shame.

People, obey your king and the lawe; Age, be thou ruled by good religioun; Trew servant, be dredful, and keep thee under awe, 10 And thou, povre, fy on presumpcioun; Inobedience to youth is utter distruccioun; Remembre you how god hath set you, lo! And do your part, as ye be ordained to.

_From_ Th. (Thynne, ed. 1532); _I give rejected spellings_. 1. forthe; the. 2. Bishoppe. 3. Lorde; trewe counsayle. 4. Womanhede. 5. lette. 6. rightous (_read_ rightwis); iuge. 7. blysse. 9. relygion. 10. Trewe; dredeful; kepe. 11. poore; presumption. 12. distruction. 13. howe. 14. parte.

* * * * *

XXIV. THE COURT OF LOVE.

With timerous hert and trembling hand of drede, Of cunning naked, bare of eloquence, Unto the flour of port in womanhede I write, as he that non intelligence Of metres hath, ne floures of sentence; 5 Sauf that me list my writing to convey, In that I can to please her hygh nobley.

The blosmes fresshe of Tullius garden soote Present thaim not, my mater for to borne: Poemes of Virgil taken here no rote, 10 Ne crafte of Galfrid may not here sojorne: Why nam I cunning? O well may I morne, For lak of science that I can-not write Unto the princes of my life a-right

No termes digne unto her excellence, 15 So is she sprong of noble stirpe and high: A world of honour and of reverence There is in her, this wil I testifie. Calliope, thou sister wise and sly, And thou, Minerva, guyde me with thy grace, 20 That langage rude my mater not deface.

Thy suger-dropes swete of Elicon Distill in me, thou gentle Muse, I pray; And thee, Melpomene, I calle anon, Of ignoraunce the mist to chace away; 25 And give me grace so for to write and sey, That she, my lady, of her worthinesse, Accepte in gree this litel short tretesse,

That is entitled thus, 'THE COURT OF LOVE.' And ye that ben metriciens me excuse, 30 I you besech, for Venus sake above; For what I mene in this ye need not muse: And if so be my lady it refuse For lak of ornat speche, I wold be wo, That I presume to her to writen so. 35

But myn entent and all my besy cure Is for to write this tretesse, as I can, Unto my lady, stable, true, and sure, Feithfull and kind, sith first that she began Me to accept in service as her man: 40 To her be all the plesure of this boke, That, whan her like, she may it rede and loke.

When I was yong, at eighteen yere of age, Lusty and light, desirous of pleasaunce, Approching on full sadde and ripe corage, 45 Love arted me to do myn observaunce To his astate, and doon him obeysaunce, Commaunding me the Court of Love to see, A lite beside the mount of Citharee,

There Citherea goddesse was and quene 50 Honoured highly for her majestee; And eke her sone, the mighty god, I wene, Cupid the blind, that for his dignitee A thousand lovers worship on their knee; There was I bid, on pain of death, t'apere, 55 By Mercury, the winged messengere.

So than I went by straunge and fer contrees, Enquiring ay what costes +to it drew, The Court of Love: and thiderward, as bees, At last I sey the peple gan pursue: 60 Anon, me thought, som wight was there that knew Where that the court was holden, ferre or ny, And after thaim ful fast I gan me hy.

Anone as I theim overtook, I said, 'Hail, frendes! whider purpose ye to wend?' 65 'Forsooth,' quod oon that answered lich a maid, 'To Loves Court now go we, gentill frend.' 'Where is that place,' quod I, 'my felowe hend?' 'At Citheron, sir,' seid he, 'without dowte, The King of Love, and all his noble rowte, 70

Dwelling within a castell ryally.' So than apace I jorned forth among, And as he seid, so fond I there truly. For I beheld the towres high and strong, And high pinácles, large of hight and long, 75 With plate of gold bespred on every side, And presious stones, the stone-werk for to hide.

No saphir ind, no rubè riche of price, There lakked than, nor emeraud so grene, Baleis Turkeis, ne thing to my devise, 80 That may the castell maken for to shene: All was as bright as sterres in winter been; And Phebus shoon, to make his pees agayn, For trespas doon to high estates tweyn,

Venus and Mars, the god and goddesse clere, 85 Whan he theim found in armes cheined fast: Venus was then full sad of herte and chere. But Phebus bemes, streight as is the mast, Upon the castell ginneth he to cast, To plese the lady, princesse of that place, 90 In signe he loketh aftir Loves grace.

For there nis god in heven or helle, y-wis, But he hath ben right soget unto Love: Jove, Pluto, or what-so-ever he is, Ne creature in erth, or yet above; 95 Of thise the révers may no wight approve. But furthermore, the castell to descry, Yet saw I never non so large and high.

For unto heven it streccheth, I suppose, Within and out depeynted wonderly, 100 With many a thousand daisy, rede as rose, And white also, this saw I verily: But what tho daises might do signify, Can I not tell, sauf that the quenes flour Alceste it was that kept there her sojour; 105

Which under Venus lady was and quene, And Admete king and soverain of that place, To whom obeyed the ladies gode ninetene, With many a thowsand other, bright of face. And yong men fele came forth with lusty pace, 110 And aged eke, their homage to dispose; But what thay were, I coud not well disclose.

Yet ner and ner furth in I gan me dresse Into an halle of noble apparaile, With arras spred and cloth of gold, I gesse, 115 And other silk of esier availe: Under the cloth of their estate, saunz faile, The king and quene ther sat, as I beheld: It passed joye of Helisee the feld.

There saintes have their comming and resort, 120 To seen the king so ryally beseyn, In purple clad, and eke the quene in sort: And on their hedes saw I crownes tweyn, With stones fret, so that it was no payn, Withouten mete and drink, to stand and see 125 The kinges honour and the ryaltee.

And for to trete of states with the king, That been of councell chief, and with the quene, The king had Daunger ner to him standing, The Quene of Love, Disdain, and that was seen: 130 For by the feith I shall to god, I wene, Was never straunger [non] in her degree Than was the quene in casting of her ee.

And as I stood perceiving her apart, And eke the bemes shyning of her yen, 135 Me thought thay were shapen lich a dart, Sherp and persing, smale, and streight as lyne. And all her here, it shoon as gold so fyne, Dishevel, crisp, down hinging at her bak A yarde in length: and soothly than I spak:-- 140

'O bright Regina, who made thee so fair? Who made thy colour vermelet and white? Where woneth that god? how fer above the eyr? Greet was his craft, and greet was his delyt. Now marvel I nothing that ye do hight 145 The Quene of Love, and occupy the place Of Citharee: now, sweet lady, thy grace.'

In mewet spak I, so that nought astert, By no condicion, word that might be herd; B[ut] in myn inward thought I gan advert, 150 And oft I seid, 'My wit is dulle and hard:' For with her bewtee, thus, god wot, I ferd As doth the man y-ravisshed with sight, When I beheld her cristall yen so bright,

No respect having what was best to doon; 155 Till right anon, beholding here and there, I spied a frend of myne, and that full soon, A gentilwoman, was the chamberer Unto the quene, that hote, as ye shall here, Philobone, that lovëd all her life: 160 Whan she me sey, she led me furth as blyfe;

And me demaunded how and in what wise I thider com, and what myne erand was? 'To seen the court,' quod I, 'and all the guyse; And eke to sue for pardon and for grace, 165 And mercy ask for all my greet trespace, That I non erst com to the Court of Love: Foryeve me this, ye goddes all above!'

'That is well seid,' quod Philobone, 'in-dede: But were ye not assomoned to apere 170 By Mercury? For that is all my drede.' 'Yes, gentil fair,' quod I, 'now am I here; Ye, yit what tho, though that be true, my dere?' 'Of your free will ye shuld have come unsent: For ye did not, I deme ye will be shent. 175

For ye that reign in youth and lustinesse, Pampired with ese, and +jolif in your age, Your dewtee is, as fer as I can gesse, To Loves Court to dressen your viage, As sone as Nature maketh you so sage, 180 That ye may know a woman from a swan, Or whan your foot is growen half a span.

But sith that ye, by wilful necligence, This eighteen yere have kept yourself at large, The gretter is your trespace and offence, 185 And in your nek ye moot bere all the charge: For better were ye ben withouten barge, Amiddë see, in tempest and in rain, Than byden here, receiving woo and pain,

That ordeined is for such as thaim absent 190 Fro Loves Court by yeres long and fele. I ley my lyf ye shall full soon repent; For Love will reyve your colour, lust, and hele: Eke ye must bait on many an hevy mele: No force, y-wis, I stired you long agoon 195 To draw to court,' quod litell Philobon.

'Ye shall well see how rough and angry face The King of Love will shew, when ye him see; By myn advyse kneel down and ask him grace, Eschewing perell and adversitee; 200 For well I wot it wol non other be, Comfort is non, ne counsel to your ese; Why will ye than the King of Love displese?'

'O mercy, god,' quod ich, 'I me repent, Caitif and wrecche in hert, in wille, and thought! 205 And aftir this shall be myne hole entent To serve and plese, how dere that love be bought: Yit, sith I have myn own penaunce y-sought, With humble spirit shall I it receive, Though that the King of Love my life bereyve. 210

And though that fervent loves qualitè In me did never worch truly, yit I With all obeisaunce and humilitè, And benign hert, shall serve him til I dye: And he that Lord of +might is, grete and highe, 215 Right as him list me chastice and correct, And punish me, with trespace thus enfect.'

Thise wordes seid, she caught me by the lap, And led me furth intill a temple round, Large and wyde: and, as my blessed hap 220 And good avénture was, right sone I found A tabernacle reised from the ground, Where Venus sat, and Cupid by her syde; Yet half for drede I gan my visage hyde.

And eft again I loked and beheld, 225 Seeing full sundry peple in the place, And mister folk, and som that might not weld Their limmes well, me thought a wonder cas; The temple shoon with windows all of glas, Bright as the day, with many a fair image; 230 And there I sey the fresh quene of Cartage,

Dido, that brent her bewtee for the love Of fals Eneas; and the weymenting Of hir, Anelida, true as turtill-dove, To Arcite fals: and there was in peinting 235 Of many a prince, and many a doughty king, Whose marterdom was shewed about the walles; And how that fele for love had suffered falles.

But sore I was abasshed and astonied Of all tho folk that there were in that tyde; 240 And than I asked where thay had [y-]woned: 'In dyvers courtes,' quod she, 'here besyde.' In sondry clothing, mantil-wyse full wyde, They were arrayed, and did their sacrifice Unto the god and goddesse in their guyse. 245

'+Lo! yonder folk,' quod she, 'that knele in blew, They were the colour ay, and ever shall, In sign they were, and ever will be trew Withouten chaunge: and sothly, yonder all That ben in blak, with morning cry and call 250 Unto the goddes, for their loves been Som fer, som dede, som all to sherpe and kene.'

'Ye, than,' quod I, 'what doon thise prestes here, Nonnes and hermits, freres, and all thoo That sit in white, in russet, and in grene?' 255 'For-soth,' quod she, 'they wailen of their wo.' 'O mercy, lord! may thay so come and go Freely to court, and have such libertee?' 'Ye, men of ech condicion and degree,

And women eke: for truly, there is non 260 Excepcion mad, ne never was ne may: This court is ope and free for everichon, The King of Love he will nat say thaim nay: He taketh all, in poore or riche array, That meekly sewe unto his excellence 265 With all their herte and all their reverence.'

And, walking thus about with Philobone, I sey where cam a messenger in hy Streight from the king, which let commaund anon, Through-out the court to make an ho and cry: 270 'A! new-come folk, abyde! and wot ye why? The kinges lust is for to seen you soon: Com ner, let see! his will mot need be doon.'

Than gan I me present to-fore the king, Trembling for fere, with visage pale of hew, 275 And many a lover with me was kneling, Abasshed sore, till unto tyme thay knew The sentence yeve of his entent full trew: And at the last the king hath me behold With stern visage, and seid, 'What doth this old, 280

Thus fer y-stope in yeres, come so late Unto the court?' 'For-soth, my liege,' quod I, 'An hundred tyme I have ben at the gate Afore this tyme, yit coud I never espy Of myn acqueyntaunce any with mine y; 285 And shamefastnes away me gan to chace; But now I me submit unto your grace.'

'Well! all is perdoned, with condicion That thou be trew from hensforth to thy might, And serven Love in thyn entencion: 290 Swere this, and than, as fer as it is right, Thou shalt have grace here in my quenes sight.' 'Yis, by the feith I ow your crown, I swere, Though Deth therfore me thirlith with his spere!'

And whan the king had seen us everichoon, 295 He let commaunde an officer in hy To take our feith, and shew us, oon by oon, The statuts of the court full besily. Anon the book was leid before their y, To rede and see what thing we must observe 300 In Loves Court, till that we dye and sterve.

And, for that I was lettred, there I red The statuts hole of Loves Court and hall: The _first_ statut that on the boke was spred, Was, To be true in thought and dedes all 305 Unto the King of Love, the Lord ryall; And to the Quene, as feithful and as kind, As I coud think with herte, and will and mind.

The _secund_ statut, Secretly to kepe Councell of love, nat blowing every-where 310 All that I know, and let it sink +or flete; It may not sown in every wightes ere: Exyling slaunder ay for dred and fere, And to my lady, which I love and serve, Be true and kind, her grace for to deserve. 315

The _thrid_ statut was clerely write also, Withouten chaunge to live and dye the same, Non other love to take, for wele ne wo, For brind delyt, for ernest nor for game: Without repent, for laughing or for grame, 320 To byden still in full perseveraunce: Al this was hole the kinges ordinaunce.

The _fourth_ statut, To purchace ever to here, And stiren folk to love, and beten fyr On Venus awter, here about and there, 325 And preche to thaim of love and hot desyr, And tell how love will quyten well their hire: This must be kept; and loth me to displese: If love be wroth, passe forby is an ese.

The _fifth_ statut, Not to be daungerous, 330 If that a thought wold reyve me of my slepe: Nor of a sight to be over squeymous; And so, verily, this statut was to kepe, To turne and walowe in my bed and wepe, When that my lady, of her crueltè, 335 Wold from her herte exylen all pitè.

The _sixt_ statut, it was for me to use, Alone to wander, voide of company, And on my ladys bewtee for to muse, And to think [it] no force to live or dye; 340 And eft again to think the remedy, How to her grace I might anon attain, And tell my wo unto my souverain.

The _seventh_ statut was, To be pacient, Whether my lady joyfull were or wroth; 345 For wordes glad or hevy, diligent, Wheder that she me helden lefe or loth: And hereupon I put was to myn oth, Her for to serve, and lowly to obey, Shewing my chere, ye, twenty sith a-day. 350

The _eighth_ statut, to my rememb[e]raunce, Was, To speke, and pray my lady dere, With hourly labour and gret attendaunce, Me for to love with all her herte entere, And me desyre, and make me joyfull chere, 355 Right as she is, surmounting every faire, Of bewtie well, and gentill debonaire.

The _ninth_ statut, with lettres writ of gold, This was the sentence, How that I and all Shuld ever dred to be to over-bold 360 Her to displese; and truly, so I shall; But ben content for thing[es] that may falle, And meekly take her chastisement and yerd, And to offende her ever ben aferd.

The _tenth_ statut was, Egally discern 365 By-twene thy lady and thyn abilitee, And think, thy-self art never like to yern, By right, her mercy, nor of equitee, But of her grace and womanly pitee: For though thy-self be noble in thy strene, 370 A thowsand-fold more nobill is thy quene,

Thy lyves lady, and thy souverayn, That hath thyn herte all hole in governaunce. Thou mayst no wyse hit taken to disdayn, To put thee humbly at her ordinaunce, 375 And give her free the rein of her plesaunce; For libertee is thing that women loke, And truly, els the mater is a-croke.

The _eleventh_ statut, Thy signes for to +con With y and finger, and with smyles soft, 380 And low to cough, and alway for to shon, For dred of spyes, for to winken oft: But secretly to bring a sigh a-loft, And eke beware of over-moch resort; For that, paraventure, spilleth al thy sport. 385

The _twelfth_ statut remember to observe: For al the pain thow hast for love and wo, All is to lite her mercy to deserve, Thow must then think, where-ever thou ryde or go; And mortall woundes suffer thow also, 390 All for her sake, and thinke it well beset Upon thy love, for it may be no bet.

The _thirteenth_ statut, Whylom is to thinke, What thing may best thy lady lyke and plese, And in thyn hertes botom let it sinke: 395 Som thing devise, and take [it] for thyn ese, And send it her, that may her herte +apese: Some hert, or ring, or lettre, or device, Or precious stone; but spare not for no price.

The _fourteenth_ statut eke thou shalt assay 400 Fermly to kepe the most part of thy lyfe: Wish that thy lady in thyne armes lay, And nightly dreme, thow hast thy hertes wyfe Swetely in armes, straining her as blyfe: And whan thou seest it is but fantasy, 405 See that thow sing not over merily,

For to moche joye hath oft a wofull end. It longith eke, this statut for to hold, To deme thy lady evermore thy frend, And think thyself in no wyse a cocold. 410 In every thing she doth but as she shold: Construe the best, beleve no tales newe, For many a lie is told, that semeth full trewe.

But think that she, so bounteous and fair, Coud not be fals: imagine this algate; 415 And think that tonges wikke wold her appair, Slaundering her name and worshipfull estat, And lovers true to setten at debat: And though thow seest a faut right at thyne y, Excuse it blyve, and glose it pretily. 420

The _fifteenth_ statut, Use to swere and stare, And counterfet a lesing hardely, To save thy ladys honour every-where, And put thyself to fight [for her] boldly: Sey she is good, virtuous, and gostly, 425 Clere of entent, and herte, and thought and wille; And argue not, for reson ne for skille,

Agayn thy ladys plesir ne entent, For love wil not be countrepleted, indede: Sey as she seith, than shalt thou not be shent, 430 The crow is whyte; ye, truly, so I rede: And ay what thing that she thee will forbede, Eschew all that, and give her sovereintee, Her appetyt folow in all degree.

The _sixteenth_ statut, kepe it if thow may:-- 435 Seven sith at night thy lady for to plese, And seven at midnight, seven at morow-day; And drink a cawdell erly for thyn ese. Do this, and kepe thyn hede from all disese, And win the garland here of lovers all, 440 That ever come in court, or ever shall.

Ful few, think I, this statut hold and kepe; But truly, this my reson giveth me fele, That som lovers shuld rather fall aslepe, Than take on hand to plese so oft and wele. 445 There lay non oth to this statut a-dele, But kepe who might, as gave him his corage: Now get this garland, lusty folk of age.

Now win who may, ye lusty folk of youth, This garland fresh, of floures rede and whyte, 450 Purpill and blewe, and colours +ful uncouth, And I shal croune him king of all delyt! In al the court there was not, to my sight, A lover trew, that he ne was adred, When he expresse hath herd the statut red. 455

The _seventeenth_ statut, Whan age approchith on, And lust is leid, and all the fire is queint, As freshly than thou shalt begin to fon, And dote in love, and all her image paint In rémembraunce, til thou begin to faint, 460 +As in the first seson thyn hert began: And her desire, though thou ne may ne can

Perform thy living actuell, and lust; Regester this in thy rememb[e]raunce: Eke when thou mayst not kepe thy thing from rust, 465 +Yit speke and talk of plesaunt daliaunce; For that shall make thyn hert rejoise and daunce. And when thou mayst no more the game assay, The statut +bit thee pray for hem that may.

The _eighteenth_ statut, hoolly to commend, 470 To plese thy lady, is, That thou eschewe With sluttishness thy-self for to offend; Be jolif, fresh, and fete, with thinges newe, Courtly with maner, this is all thy due, Gentill of port, and loving clenlinesse; 475 This is the thing that lyketh thy maistresse.

And not to wander lich a dulled ass, Ragged and torn, disgysed in array, Ribaud in speche, or out of mesure pass, Thy bound exceding; think on this alway: 480 For women +been of tender hertes ay, And lightly set their plesire in a place; Whan they misthink, they lightly let it passe.

The _nineteenth_ statut, Mete and drink forgete: Ech other day, see that thou fast for love, 485 For in the court they live withouten mete, Sauf such as cometh from Venus all above; They take non heed, in pain of greet reprove, Of mete and drink, for that is all in vain; Only they live by sight of their soverain. 490

The _twentieth_ statut, last of everichoon, Enroll it in thyn hertes privitee; To wring and wail, to turn, and sigh and grone, When that thy lady absent is from thee; And eke renew the wordes [all] that she 495 Bitween you twain hath seid, and all the chere That thee hath mad thy lyves lady dere.

And see thyn herte in quiet ne in rest Sojorn, to tyme thou seen thy lady eft; But wher she won by south, or est, or west, 500 With all thy force, now see it be not left: Be diligent, till tyme thy lyfe be reft, In that thou mayst, thy lady for to see; This statut was of old antiquitee.

An officer of high auctoritee, 505 Cleped Rigour, made us swere anon: He nas corrupt with parcialitee, Favour, prayer, ne gold that cherely shoon; 'Ye shall,' quod he, 'now sweren here echoon, Yong and old, to kepe, in that +ye may, 510 The statuts truly, all, aftir this day.'

O god, thought I, hard is to make this oth! But to my pouer shall I thaim observe; In all this world nas mater half so loth, To swere for all; for though my body sterve, 515 I have no might the hole for to reserve. But herkin now the cace how it befell: After my oth was mad, the trouth to tell,

I turned leves, loking on this boke, Where other statuts were of women shene; 520 And right furthwith Rigour on me gan loke Full angrily, and seid unto the quene I traitour was, and charged me let been: 'There may no man,' quod he, 'the statut[s] know, That long to woman, by degree ne low. 525

In secret wyse thay kepten been full close, They sowne echon to libertie, my frend; Plesaunt thay be, and to their own purpose; There wot no wight of thaim, but god and fend, Ne naught shall wit, unto the worldes end. 530 The quene hath yeve me charge, in pain to dye, Never to rede ne seen thaim with myn ye.

For men shall not so nere of councell ben, With womanhode, ne knowen of her gyse, Ne what they think, ne of their wit th'engyn; 535 I me report to Salamon the wyse, And mighty Sampson, which begyled thryes With Dalida was: he wot that, in a throw, There may no man statut of women knowe.

For it paravénture may right so befall, 540 That they be bound by nature to disceive, And spinne, and wepe, and sugre strewe on gall, The hert of man to ravissh and to reyve, And whet their tong as sharp as swerd or gleyve: It may betyde, this is their ordinaunce; 545 So must they lowly doon the observaunce,

And kepe the statut yeven thaim of kind, Or such as love hath yeve hem in their lyfe. Men may not wete why turneth every wind, Nor waxen wyse, nor ben inquisityf 550 To know secret of maid, widow, or wyfe; For they their statutes have to thaim reserved, And never man to know thaim hath deserved.

Now dress you furth, the god of Love you gyde!' Quod Rigour than, 'and seek the temple bright 555 Of Cither[e]a, goddess here besyde; Beseche her, by [the] influence and might Of al her vertue, you to teche a-right, How for to serve your ladies, and to plese, Ye that ben sped, and set your hert in ese. 560

And ye that ben unpurveyed, +pray her eke Comfort you soon with grace and destinee, That ye may set your hert there ye may lyke, In suche a place, that it to love may be Honour and worship, and felicitee 565 To you for ay. Now goth, by one assent.' 'Graunt mercy, sir!' quod we, and furth we went

Devoutly, soft and esy pace, to see Venus the goddes image, all of gold: And there we founde a thousand on their knee, 570 Sum freshe and feire, som dedely to behold, In sondry mantils new, and som were old, Som painted were with flames rede as fire, Outward to shew their inward hoot desire:

With dolefull chere, full fele in their complaint 575 Cried 'Lady Venus, rewe upon our sore! Receive our billes, with teres all bedreint; We may not wepe, there is no more in store; But wo and pain us frettith more and more: Thou +blisful planet, lovers sterre so shene, 580 Have rowth on us, that sigh and carefull been;

And ponish, Lady, grevously, we pray, The false untrew with counterfet plesaunce, That made their oth, be trew to live or dey, With chere assured, and with countenaunce; 585 And falsly now thay foten loves daunce, Barein of rewth, untrue of that they seid, Now that their lust and plesire is alleyd.'

Yet eft again, a thousand milion, Rejoysing, love, leding their life in blis: 590 They seid:--'Venus, redresse of all division, Goddes eterne, thy name +y-heried is! By loves bond is knit all thing, y-wis, Best unto best, the erth to water wan, Bird unto bird, and woman unto man; 595

This is the lyfe of joye that we ben in, Resembling lyfe of hevenly paradyse; Love is exyler ay of vice and sin; Love maketh hertes lusty to devyse; Honour and grace have thay, in every wyse, 600 That been to loves law obedient; Love makith folk benigne and diligent;

Ay stering theim to drede[n] vice and shame: In their degree it maketh thaim honorable; And swete it is of love [to] bere the name, 605 So that his love be feithfull, true, and stable: Love prunith him, to semen amiable; Love hath no faut, there it is exercysed, But sole with theim that have all love dispised.

Honour to thee, celestiall and clere 610 Goddes of love, and to thy celsitude, That yevest us light so fer down from thy spere, Persing our hertes with thy pulcritude! Comparison non of similitude May to thy grace be mad in no degree, 615 That hast us set with love in unitee.

Gret cause have we to praise thy name and thee, For [that] through thee we live in joye and blisse. Blessed be thou, most souverain to see! Thy holy court of gladness may not misse: 620 A thousand sith we may rejoise in this, That we ben thyn with harte and all y-fere, Enflamed with thy grace, and hevinly fere.'

Musing of tho that spakin in this wyse, I me bethought in my rememb[e]raunce 625 Myne orison right goodly to devyse, And plesauntly, with hartes obeisaunce, Beseech the goddes voiden my grevaunce; For I loved eke, sauf that I wist nat where; Yet down I set, and seid as ye shall here. 630

'Fairest of all that ever were or be! +Lucerne and light to pensif crëature! Myn hole affiaunce, and my lady free, My goddes bright, my fortune and my ure, I yeve and yeld my hart to thee full sure, 635 Humbly beseching, lady, of thy grace Me to bestowe into som blessed place.

And here I vow me feithfull, true, and kind, Without offence of mutabilitee, Humbly to serve, whyl I have wit and mind, 640 Myn hole affiaunce, and my lady free! In thilkë place, there ye me sign to be: And, sith this thing of newe is yeve me, ay To love and serve, needly must I obey.

Be merciable with thy fire of grace, 645 And fix myne hert there bewtie is and routh, For hote I love, determine in no place, Sauf only this, by god and by my trouth, Trowbled I was with slomber, slepe, and slouth This other night, and in a visioun 650 I sey a woman romen up and down,

Of mene stature, and seemly to behold, Lusty and fresh, demure of countynaunce, Yong and wel shap, with here [that] shoon as gold, With yen as cristall, farced with plesaunce; 655 And she gan stir myne harte a lite to daunce; But sodenly she vanissh gan right there: Thus I may sey, I love and wot not where.

For what she is, ne her dwelling I not, And yet I fele that love distraineth me: 660 Might ich her know, that wold I fain, god wot, Serve and obey with all benignitee. And if that other be my destinee, So that no wyse I shall her never see, Than graunt me her that best may lyken me, 665

With glad rejoyse to live in parfit hele, Devoide of wrath, repent, or variaunce; And able me to do that may be wele Unto my lady, with hertes by plesaunce: And, mighty goddes! through thy purviaunce 670 My wit, my thought, my lust and love so gyde, That to thyne honour I may me provyde

To set myne herte in place there I may lyke, And gladly serve with all affeccioun. Gret is the pain which at myn hert doth stik. 675 Till I be sped by thyn eleccioun: Help, lady goddes! that possessioun I might of her have, that in all my lyfe I clepen shall my quene and hertes wife.

And in the Court of Love to dwell for ay 680 My wille it is, and don thee sacrifice: Daily with Diane eke to fight and fray, And holden werre, as might well me suffice: That goddes chaste I kepen in no wyse To serve; a fig for all her chastitee! 685 Her lawe is for religiositee.'

And thus gan finish preyer, lawde, and preise, Which that I yove to Venus on my knee, And in myne hert to ponder and to peise, I gave anon hir image fressh bewtie; 690 'Heil to that figure sweet! and heil to thee, Cupide,' quod I, and rose and yede my way; And in the temple as I yede I sey

A shryne sormownting all in stones riche, Of which the force was plesaunce to myn y, 695 With diamant or saphire; never liche I have non seyn, ne wrought so wonderly. So whan I met with Philobone, in hy I gan demaund, 'Who[s] is this sepulture?' 'Forsoth,' quod she, 'a tender creature 700

Is shryned there, and Pitè is her name. She saw an egle wreke him on a fly, And pluk his wing, and eke him, in his game, And tender herte of that hath made her dy: Eke she wold wepe, and morn right pitously 705 To seen a lover suffre gret destresse. In all the court nas non that, as I gesse,

That coude a lover +half so well availe, Ne of his wo the torment or the rage +Aslaken, for he was sure, withouten faile, 710 That of his grief she coud the hete aswage. In sted of Pitè, spedeth hot corage The maters all of court, now she is dede; I me report in this to womanhede.

For weile and wepe, and crye, and speke, and pray,-- 715 Women wold not have pitè on thy plaint; Ne by that mene to ese thyn hart convey, But thee receiven for their own talent: And sey, that Pitè causith thee, in consent Of rewth, to take thy service and thy pain 720 In that thow mayst, to plese thy souverain.

But this is councell, keep it secretly;' Quod she, 'I nold, for all the world abowt, The Quene of Love it wist; and wit ye why? For if by me this matter springen out, 725 In court no lenger shuld I, owt of dowt, Dwellen, but shame in all my life endry: Now kepe it close,' quod she, 'this hardely.

Well, all is well! Now shall ye seen,' she seid, 'The feirest lady under son that is: 730 Come on with me, demene you liche a maid, With shamefast dred, for ye shall spede, y-wis, With her that is the mir[th] and joy and blis: But sumwhat straunge and sad of her demene She is, be ware your countenaunce be sene, 735

Nor over light, ne recheless, ne to bold, Ne malapert, ne rinning with your tong; For she will you abeisen and behold, And you demaund, why ye were hens so long Out of this court, without resort among: 740 And Rosiall her name is hote aright, Whose harte +as yet [is] yeven to no wight.

And ye also ben, as I understond, With love but light avaunced, by your word; Might ye, by hap, your fredom maken bond, 745 And fall in grace with her, and wele accord, Well might ye thank the god of Love and lord; For she that ye sawe in your dreme appere, To love suche one, what are +ye than the nere?

Yit wot ye what? as my rememb[e]raunce 750 Me yevith now, ye fayn, where that ye sey That ye with love had never acqueintaunce, Sauf in your dreme right late this other day: Why, yis, parde! my life, that durst I lay, That ye were caught upon an heth, when I 755 Saw you complain, and sigh full pitously;

Within an erber, and a garden fair With floures growe, and herbes vertuous, Of which the savour swete was and the eyr, There were your-self full hoot and amorous: 760 Y-wis, ye ben to nice and daungerous; A! wold ye now repent, and love som new?'-- 'Nay, by my trouth,' I seid, 'I never knew

The goodly wight, whos I shall be for ay: Guyde me the lord that love hath made and me.' 765 But furth we went in-till a chambre gay, There was Rosiall, womanly to see, Whose stremes sotell-persing of her ee Myn hart gan thrill for bewtie in the stound: 'Alas,' quod I, 'who hath me yeve this wound?' 770

And than I dred to speke, till at the last I gret the lady reverently and wele, Whan that my sigh was gon and over-past; And down on knees full humbly gan I knele, Beseching her my fervent wo to kele, 775 For there I took full purpose in my mind, Unto her grace my painfull hart to bind.

For if I shall all fully her discryve, Her hede was round, by compace of nature, Her here as gold,--she passed all on-lyve,-- 780 And lily forhede had this crëature, With lovelich browes, flawe, of colour pure, Bytwene the which was mene disseveraunce From every brow, to shewe[n] a distaunce.

Her nose directed streight, and even as lyne, 785 With fourm and shap therto convenient, In which the goddes milk-whyt path doth shine; And eke her yen ben bright and orient As is the smaragde, unto my juggement, Or yet thise sterres hevenly, smale and bright; 790 Her visage is of lovely rede and whyte.

Her mouth is short, and shit in litell space, Flaming somdele, not over-rede, I mene, With pregnant lippes, and thik to kiss, percas; (For lippes thin, not fat, but ever lene, 795 They serve of naught, they be not worth a bene; For if the basse ben full, there is delyt, Maximian truly thus doth he wryte.)

But to my purpose:--I sey, whyte as snow Ben all her teeth, and in order thay stond 800 Of oon stature; and eke hir breth, I trow, Surmounteth alle odours that ever I fond In sweetnes; and her body, face, and hond Ben sharply slender, so that from the hede Unto the fote, all is but womanhede. 805

I hold my pees of other thinges hid:-- Here shall my soul, and not my tong, bewray:-- But how she was arrayed, if ye me bid, That shall I well discover you and say: A bend of gold and silk, full fressh and gay; 810 With here in tresse[s], browdered full well, Right smothly kept, and shyning every-del.

About her nek a flour of fressh devyse With rubies set, that lusty were to sene; And she in gown was, light and somer-wyse, 815 Shapen full wele, the colour was of grene, With aureat seint about her sydes clene, With dyvers stones, precious and riche:-- Thus was she rayed, yet saugh I never her liche.

For if that Jove had [but] this lady seyn, 820 Tho Calixto ne [yet] Alcmenia, Thay never hadden in his armes leyn; Ne he had loved the faire Europa; Ye, ne yet Dane ne Antiopa! For al their bewtie stood in Rosiall; 825 She semed lich a thing celestiall

In bowntè, favor, port, and semliness, Plesaunt of figure, mirrour of delyt, Gracious to sene, and rote of gentilness, With angel visage, lusty rede and white: 830 There was not lak, sauf daunger had a lite This goodly fressh in rule and governaunce; And somdel straunge she was, for her plesaunce.

And truly sone I took my leve and went, Whan she had me enquyred what I was; 835 For more and more impressen gan the dent Of Loves dart, whyl I beheld her face; And eft again I com to seken grace, And up I put my bill, with sentence clere That folwith aftir; rede and ye shall here. 840

'O ye [the] fressh, of [all] bewtie the rote, That nature hath fourmed so wele and made Princesse and Quene! and ye that may do bote Of all my langour with your wordes glad! Ye wounded me, ye made me wo-bestad; 845 Of grace redress my mortall +grief, as ye Of all myne +harm the verrey causer be.

Now am I caught, and unwar sodenly, With persant stremes of your yën clere, Subject to ben, and serven you meekly, 850 And all your man, y-wis, my lady dere, Abiding grace, of which I you requere, That merciles ye cause me not to sterve; But guerdon me, liche as I may deserve.

For, by my troth, the dayes of my breth 855 I am and will be youre in wille and hert, Pacient and meek, for you to suffre deth If it require; now rewe upon my smert; And this I swere, I never shall out-stert From Loves Court for none adversitee, 860 So ye wold rewe on my distresse and me.

My destinee, +my fate, and ure I bliss, That have me set to ben obedient Only to you, the flour of all, y-wis: I trust to Venus never to repent; 865 For ever redy, glad, and diligent Ye shall me finde in service to your grace, Till deth my lyfe out of my body race.

Humble unto your excellence so digne, Enforcing ay my wittes and delyt 870 To serve and plese with glad herte and benigne, And ben as Troilus, [old] Troyes knight, Or Antony for Cleopatre bright, And never you me thinkes to reney: This shall I kepe unto myne ending-day. 875

Enprent my speche in your memorial Sadly, my princess, salve of all my sore! And think that, for I wold becomen thrall, And ben your own, as I have seyd before, Ye must of pity cherissh more and more 880 Your man, and tender aftir his desert, And yive him corage for to ben expert.

For where that oon hath set his herte on fire, And findeth nether refut ne plesaunce, Ne word of comfort, deth will quyte his hire. 885 Allas! that there is none allegeaunce Of all their wo! allas, the gret grevaunce To love unloved! But ye, my Lady dere, In other wyse may govern this matere.'

'Truly, gramercy, frend, of your good will, 890 And of your profer in your humble wyse! But for your service, take and kepe it still. And where ye say, I ought you well cheryse, And of your gref the remedy devyse, I know not why: I nam acqueinted well 895 With you, ne wot not sothly where ye dwell.'

'In art of love +I wryte, and songes make, That may be song in honour of the King And Quene of Love; and than I undertake, He that is sad shall than full mery sing. 900 And daunger[o]us not ben in every thing Beseche I you, but seen my will and rede, And let your aunswer put me out of drede.'

'What is your name? reherse it here, I pray, Of whens and where, of what condicion 905 That ye ben of? Let see, com of and say! Fain wold I know your disposicion:-- Ye have put on your old entencion; But what ye mene to servë me I noot, Sauf that ye say ye love me wonder hoot.' 910

'My name? alas, my hert, why [make it straunge?] Philogenet I cald am fer and nere, Of Cambrige clerk, that never think to chaunge Fro you that with your hevenly stremes clere Ravissh myne herte and gost and all in-fere: 915 This is the first, I write my bill for grace, Me think, I see som mercy in your face.

And what I mene, by god that al hath wrought, My bill, that maketh finall mencion, That ye ben, lady, in myne inward thought 920 Of all myne hert without offencion, That I best love, and have, sith I begon To draw to court. Lo, than! what might I say? I yeld me here, [lo!] unto your nobley.

And if that I offend, or wilfully 925 By pompe of hart your precept disobey, Or doon again your will unskillfully, Or greven you, for ernest or for play, Correct ye me right sharply than, I pray, As it is sene unto your womanhede, 930 And rewe on me, or ellis I nam but dede.'

'Nay, god forbede to feffe you so with grace, And for a worde of sugred eloquence, To have compassion in so litell space! Than were it tyme that som of us were hens! 935 Ye shall not find in me suche insolence. Ay? what is this? may ye not suffer sight? How may ye loke upon the candill-light,

That clere[r] is and hotter than myn y? And yet ye seid, the bemes perse and frete:-- 940 How shall ye than the candel-[l]ight endry? For wel wot ye, that hath the sharper hete. And there ye bid me you correct and bete, If ye offend,--nay, that may not be doon: There come but few that speden here so soon. 945

Withdraw your y, withdraw from presens eke: Hurt not yourself, through foly, with a loke; I wold be sory so to make you seke: A woman shuld be ware eke whom she toke: Ye beth a clark:--go serchen [in] my boke, 950 If any women ben so light to win: Nay, byde a whyl, though ye were all my kin.

So soon ye may not win myne harte, in trouth The gyse of court will seen your stedfastness, And as ye don, to have upon you rewth. 955 Your own desert, and lowly gentilness, That will reward you joy for heviness; And though ye waxen pale, and grene and dede, Ye must it use a while, withouten drede,

And it accept, and grucchen in no wyse; 960 But where as ye me hastily desyre To been to love, me think, ye be not wyse. Cese of your language! cese, I you requyre! For he that hath this twenty yere ben here May not obtayn; than marveile I that ye 965 Be now so bold, of love to trete with me.'

'Ah! mercy, hart, my lady and my love, My rightwyse princesse and my lyves guyde! Now may I playn to Venus all above, That rewthles ye me +give these woundes wyde! 970 What have I don? why may it not betyde, That for my trouth I may received be? Alas! your daunger and your crueltè!

In wofull hour I got was, welaway! In wofull hour [y-]fostred and y-fed, 975 In wofull hour y-born, that I ne may My supplicacion swetely have y-sped! The frosty grave and cold must be my bedde, Without ye list your grace and mercy shewe, Deth with his axe so faste on me doth hewe. 980

So greet disese and in so litell whyle, So litell joy, that felte I never yet; And at my wo Fortune ginneth to smyle, That never erst I felt so harde a fit: Confounded ben my spirits and my wit, 985 Till that my lady take me to her cure, Which I love best of erthely crëature.

But that I lyke, that may I not com by; Of that I playn, that have I habondaunce; Sorrow and thought, thay sit me wounder ny; 990 Me is withhold that might be my plesaunce: Yet turne again, my worldly suffisaunce! O lady bright! and save your feithfull true, And, er I die, yet on[e]s upon me rewe.'

With that I fell in sounde, and dede as stone, 995 With colour slain, and wan as assh[es] pale; And by the hand she caught me up anon, 'Aryse,' quod she, 'what? have ye dronken dwale? Why slepen ye? it is no nightertale.' 'Now mercy, swete,' quod I, y-wis affrayed: 1000 'What thing,' quod she, 'hath mad you so dismayed?

Now wot I well that ye a lover be, Your hewe is witnesse in this thing,' she seid: 'If ye were secret, [ye] might know,' quod she, 'Curteise and kind, all this shuld be allayed: 1005 And now, myn herte! all that I have misseid, I shall amend, and set your harte in ese.' 'That word it is,' quod I, 'that doth me plese.'

'But this I charge, that ye the statuts kepe, And breke thaim not for sloth nor ignoraunce.' 1010 With that she gan to smyle and laughen depe. 'Y-wis,' quod I, 'I will do your plesaunce; The sixteenth statut doth me grete grevaunce, But ye must that relesse or modifie.' 'I graunt,' quod she, 'and so I will truly.' 1015

And softly than her colour gan appeare, As rose so rede, through-out her visage all, Wherefore me think it is according here, That she of right be cleped Rosiall. Thus have I won, with wordes grate and small, 1020 Some goodly word of hir that I love best, And trust she shall yit set myne harte in rest.

. . . . . .

'Goth on,' she seid to Philobone, 'and take This man with you, and lede him all abowt Within the court, and shew him, for my sake, 1025 What lovers dwell withinne, and all the rowte Of officers; for he is, out of dowte, A straunger yit:'--'Come on,' quod Philobone, 'Philogenet, with me now must ye gon.'

And stalking soft with esy pace, I saw 1030 About the king [ther] stonden environ, Attendaunce, Diligence, and their felaw Fortherer, Esperaunce, and many oon; Dred-to-offend there stood, and not aloon; For there was eke the cruell adversair, 1035 The lovers fo, that cleped is Dispair,

Which unto me spak angrely and fell, And said, my lady me deceiven shall: 'Trowest thow,' quod she, 'that all that she did tell, Is true? Nay, nay, but under hony gall! 1040 Thy birth and +hers, [they] be nothing egall: Cast of thyn hart, for all her wordes whyte, For in good faith she lovith thee but a lyte.

And eek remember, thyn habilite May not compare with hir, this well thow wot.' 1045 Ye, than cam Hope and said, 'My frend, let be! Beleve him not: Dispair, he ginneth dote.' 'Alas,' quod I, 'here is both cold and hot: The tone me biddeth love, the toder nay; Thus wot I not what me is best to say. 1050

But well wot I, my lady graunted me, Truly to be my woundes remedy; Her gentilness may not infected be With dobleness, thus trust I till I dy.' So cast I void Dispaires company, 1055 And taken Hope to councell and to frend. 'Ye, kepe that wele,' quod Philobone, 'in mind.'

And there besyde, within a bay-window, Stood oon in grene, full large of brede and length, His berd as blak as fethers of the crow; 1060 His name was Lust, of wounder might and strength; And with Delyt to argue there he thenkth, For this was all his [hool] opinion, That love was sin! and so he hath begon

To reson fast, and legge auctoritè: 1065 'Nay,' quod Delyt, 'love is a vertue clere, And from the soule his progress holdeth he: Blind appetyt of lust doth often stere, And that is sin: for reson lakketh there, For thow [dost] think thy neighbours wyfe to win: 1070 Yit think it well that love may not be sin;

For god and seint, they love right verely, Void of all sin and vice: this knowe I wele, Affeccion of flessh is sin, truly; But verray love is vertue, as I fele, 1075 For love may not thy freil desire akele: For [verray] love is love withouten sin.' 'Now stint,' quoth Lust, 'thow spekest not worth a pin.'

And there I left thaim in their arguing, Roming ferther in the castell wyde, 1080 And in a corner Lier stood talking Of lesings fast, with Flatery there besyde; He seid that women were attire of pryde, And men were founde of nature variaunt, And coud be false, and shewen beau semblaunt. 1085

Than Flatery bespake and seid, y-wis: 'See, so she goth on patens faire and fete, Hit doth right wele: what prety man is this That rometh here? Now truly, drink ne mete Nede I not have; myne hart for joye doth bete 1090 Him to behold, so is he goodly fressh: It semeth for love his harte is tender nessh.'

This is the court of lusty folk and glad, And wel becometh their habit and array: O why be som so sorry and so sad, 1095 Complaining thus in blak and whyte and gray? Freres they ben, and monkes, in good fay: Alas, for rewth! greet dole it is to seen, To see thaim thus bewaile and sory been.

See how they cry and wring their handes whyte, 1100 For they so sone went to religion! And eke the nonnes, with vaile and wimple plight, There thought that they ben in confusion: 'Alas,' thay sayn, 'we fayn perfeccion, In clothes wide, and lak our libertè; 1105 But all the sin mote on our frendes be.

For, Venus wot, we wold as fayn as ye, That ben attired here and wel besene, Desiren man, and love in our degree, Ferme and feithfull, right as wold the quene: 1110 Our frendes wikke, in tender youth and grene, Ayenst our will made us religious; That is the cause we morne and wailen thus.'

Than seid the monks and freres in the tyde, 'Wel may we curse our abbeys and our place, 1115 Our statuts sharp, to sing in copes wyde, Chastly to kepe us out of loves grace, And never to fele comfort ne solace; Yet suffre we the hete of loves fire, And after than other haply we desire. 1120

O Fortune cursed, why now and wherefore Hast thow,' they seid, 'beraft us libertè, Sith nature yave us instrument in store, And appetyt to love and lovers be? Why mot we suffer suche adversitè, 1125 Diane to serve, and Venus to refuse? Ful often sith this matier doth us muse.

We serve and honour, sore ayenst our will, Of chastitè the goddes and the quene; Us leffer were with Venus byden still, 1130 And have reward for love, and soget been Unto thise women courtly, fressh, and shene. Fortune, we curse thy whele of variaunce! There we were wele, thou revest our plesaunce.'

Thus leve I thaim, with voice of pleint and care, 1135 In raging wo crying ful pitously; And as I yede, full naked and full bare Some I behold, looking dispitously, On povertè that dedely cast their y; And 'Welaway!' they cried, and were not fain, 1140 For they ne might their glad desire attain.

For lak of richesse worldely and of +gode, They banne and curse, and wepe, and sein, 'Alas, That poverte hath us hent that whylom stode At hartis ese, and free and in good case! 1145 But now we dar not shew our-self in place, Ne us embolde to duelle in company, There-as our hart wold love right faithfully.'

And yet againward shryked every nonne, The prang of love so straineth thaim to cry: 1150 'Now wo the tyme,' quod thay, 'that we be boun! This hateful ordre nyse will don us dy! We sigh and sobbe, and bleden inwardly, Freting our-self with thought and hard complaint, That ney for love we waxen wode and faint.' 1155

And as I stood beholding here and there, I was war of a sort full languisshing, Savage and wild of loking and of chere, Their mantels and their clothës ay tering; And oft thay were of nature complaining, 1160 For they their members lakked, fote and hand, With visage wry and blind, I understand.

They lakked shap, and beautie to preferre Theim-self in love: and seid, that god and kind Hath forged thaim to worshippen the sterre, 1165 Venus the bright, and leften all behind His other werkes clene and out of mind: 'For other have their full shape and bewtee, And we,' quod they, 'ben in deformitè.'

And nye to thaim there was a company, 1170 That have the susters waried and misseid; I mene, the three of fatall destinè, That be our +werdes; and sone, in a brayd, Out gan they cry as they had been affrayd, 'We curse,' quod thay, 'that ever hath nature 1175 Y-formed us, this wofull lyfe t'endure!'

And there he was contrite, and gan repent, Confessing hole the wound that Citherè Hath with the dart of hot desire him sent, And how that he to love must subjet be: 1180 Than held he all his skornes vanitè, And seid, that lovers lede a blisful lyfe, Yong men and old, and widow, maid and wyfe.

'Bereve +me, goddesse,' quod he, '[of] thy might, My skornes all and skoffes, that I have 1185 No power forth, to mokken any wight, That in thy service dwell: for I did rave: This know I well right now, so god me save, And I shal be the chief post of thy feith, And love uphold, the révers who-so seith.' 1190

Dissemble stood not fer from him in trouth, With party mantill, party hood and hose; And said, he had upon his lady rowth, And thus he wound him in, and gan to glose Of his entent full doble, I suppose: 1195 And al the world, he seid, he loved it wele; But ay, me thoughte, he loved her nere a dele.

Eek Shamefastness was there, as I took hede, That blusshed rede, and durst nat ben a-knowe She lover was, for thereof had she drede; 1200 She stood and hing her visage down alowe; But suche a sight it was to sene, I trow, +As of these roses rody on their stalk: There cowd no wight her spy to speke or talk

In loves art, so gan she to abasshe, 1205 Ne durst not utter all her privitè: Many a stripe and many a grevous lasshe She gave to thaim that wolden loveres be, And hindered sore the simpill comonaltè, That in no wyse durst grace and mercy crave; 1210 For were not she, they need but ask and have;

Where if they now approchin for to speke, Than Shamefastness returnith thaim again: Thay think, if +we our secret councell breke, Our ladies will have scorn on us, certain, 1215 And [per]aventure thinken greet disdain: Thus Shamefastness may bringin in Dispeir, Whan she is dede, the toder will be heir.

Com forth, Avaunter! now I ring thy bell! I spyed him sone; to god I make a-vowe, 1220 He loked blak as fendes doth in hell:-- 'The first,' quod he, 'that ever [I] did +wowe, Within a word she com, I wot not how, So that in armes was my lady free; And so hath ben a thousand mo than she. 1225

In Englond, Bretain, Spain, and Pycardie, Arteys, and Fraunce, and up in hy Holand, In Burgoyne, Naples, and [in] Italy, Naverne, and Grece, and up in hethen land, Was never woman yit that wold withstand 1230 To ben at myn commaundement, whan I wold: I lakked neither silver, coin, ne gold.

And there I met with this estate and that; And here I broched her, and here, I trow: Lo! there goth oon of myne; and wot ye what? 1235 Yon fressh attired have I leyd full low; And such oon yonder eke right well I know: I kept the statut whan we lay y-fere; And yet yon same hath made me right good chere.'

Thus hath Avaunter blowen every-where 1240 Al that he knowith, and more, a thousand-fold; His auncetrye of kin was to Lière, For firste he makith promise for to hold His ladies councell, and it not unfold; Wherfore, the secret when he doth unshit, 1245 Than lyeth he, that all the world may wit.

For falsing so his promise and behest, I wounder sore he hath such fantasie; He lakketh wit, I trowe, or is a best, That can no bet him-self with reson gy. 1250 By myn advice, Love shal be contrarie To his availe, and him eke dishonoure, So that in court he shall no more sojoure.

'Take hede,' quod she, this litell Philobone, 'Where Envy rokketh in the corner yond, 1255 And sitteth dirk; and ye shall see anone His lenë bodie, fading face and hond; Him-self he fretteth, as I understond; Witnesse of Ovid Methamorphosose; The lovers fo he is, I wil not glose. 1260

For where a lover thinketh him promote, Envy will grucch, repyning at his wele; Hit swelleth sore about his hartes rote, That in no wyse he can not live in hele; And if the feithfull to his lady stele, 1265 Envy will noise and ring it round aboute, And sey moche worse than don is, out of dowte.'

And Prevy Thought, rejoysing of him-self, Stood not fer thens in habit mervelous; 'Yon is,' thought [I], 'som spirit or some elf, 1270 His sotill image is so curious: How is,' quod I, 'that he is shaded thus With yonder cloth, I not of what colour?' And nere I went, and gan to lere and pore,

And frayned him [a] question full hard. 1275 'What is,' quod I, 'the thing thou lovest best? Or what is boot unto thy paines hard? Me think, thow livest here in grete unrest; Thow wandrest ay from south to est and west, And est to north; as fer as I can see, 1280 There is no place in court may holden thee.

Whom folowest thow? where is thy harte y-set? But my demaunde asoile, I thee require.' 'Me thought,' quod he, 'no crëature may let +Me to ben here, and where-as I desire: 1285 For where-as absence hath don out the fire, My mery thought it kindleth yet again, That bodily, me think, with my souverain

I stand and speke, and laugh, and kisse, and halse, So that my thought comforteth me full oft: 1290 I think, god wot, though all the world be false, I will be trewe; I think also how soft My lady is in speche, and this on-loft Bringeth myn hart +to joye and [greet] gladnesse; This prevey thought alayeth myne hevinesse. 1295

And what I thinke, or where to be, no man In all this erth can tell, y-wis, but I: And eke there nis no swallow swift, ne swan So wight of wing, ne half [so] yern can fly; For I can been, and that right sodenly, 1300 In heven, in helle, in paradise, and here, And with my lady, whan I will desire.

I am of councell ferre and wyde, I wot, With lord and lady, and their previtè I wot it all; but be it cold or hot, 1305 They shall not speke without licence of me, I mene, in suche as sesonable be; For first the thing is thought within the hert, Ere any word out from the mouth astert.'

And with that word Thought bad farewell and yede: 1310 Eke furth went I to seen the courtes gyse: And at the dore cam in, so god me spede, +Twey courteours of age and of assyse Liche high, and brode, and, as I me advyse, The Golden Love, and Leden Love thay hight: 1315 The ton was sad, the toder glad and light.

[_Some stanzas lost._]

'Yis! draw your hart, with all your force and might, To lustiness, and been as ye have seid; And think that I no drop of favour hight, Ne never had to your desire obeyd, 1320 Till sodenly, me thought, me was affrayed, To seen you wax so dede of countenaunce; And Pitè bad me don you some plasaunce.

Out of her shryne she roos from deth to lyve, And in myne ere full prevely she spak, 1325 "Doth not your servaunt hens away to dryve, Rosiall," quod she; and than myn harte [it] brak, For tender +reuth: and where I found moch lak In your persoune, +than I my-self bethought, And seid, "This is the man myne harte hath sought."' 1330

'Gramercy, Pitè! might I +but suffice To yeve the lawde unto thy shryne of gold, God wot, I wold; for sith that +thou did rise From deth to lyve for me, I am behold To +thanken you a thousand tymes told, 1335 And eke my lady Rosiall the shene, Which hath in comfort set myn harte, I wene.

And here I make myn protestacion, And depely swere, as [to] myn power, to been Feithfull, devoid of variacion, 1340 And her forbere in anger or in tene, And serviceable to my worldes quene, With al my reson and intelligence, To don her honour high and reverence.'

I had not spoke so sone the word, but she, 1345 My souverain, did thank me hartily, And seid, 'Abyde, ye shall dwell still with me Till seson come of May; for than, truly, The King of Love and all his company Shall hold his fest full ryally and well:' 1350 And there I bode till that the seson fell.

. . . . . .

On May-day, whan the lark began to ryse, To matens went the lusty nightingale Within a temple shapen hawthorn-wise; He might not slepe in all the nightertale, 1355 But '_Domine labia_,' gan he crye and gale, 'My lippes open, Lord of Love, I crye, And let my mouth thy preising now bewrye.'

The eagle sang '_Venite_, bodies all, And let us joye to love that is our helth.' 1360 And to the deske anon they gan to fall, And who come late, he pressed in by stelth: Than seid the fawcon, our own hartis welth, '_Domine, Dominus noster_, I wot, Ye be the god that don us bren thus hot.' 1365

'_Celi enarrant_,' said the popingay, 'Your might is told in heven and firmament.' And than came in the goldfinch fresh and gay, And said this psalm with hertly glad intent, '_Domini est terra_; this Laten intent, 1370 The god of Love hath erth in governaunce:' And than the wren gan skippen and to daunce.

'_Jube, Domine_, Lord of Love, I pray Commaund me well this lesson for to rede; This legend is of all that wolden dey 1375 Marters for love; god yive the sowles spede! And to thee, Venus, +sing we, out of drede, By influence of all thy vertue grete, Beseching thee to kepe us in our hete.'

The second lesson robin redebrest sang, 1380 'Hail to the god and goddess of our lay!' And to the lectorn +amorously he sprang:-- 'Hail,' quod [he] eke, 'O fresh seson of May, Our moneth glad that singen on the spray! Hail to the floures, rede, and whyte, and blewe, 1385 Which by their vertue make our lustes newe!'

The thrid lesson the turtill-dove took up, And therat lough the mavis [as] in scorn: He said, 'O god, as mot I dyne or sup, This folissh dove will give us all an horn! 1390 There been right here a thousand better born, To rede this lesson, which, as well as he, And eke as hot, can love in all degree.'

The turtill-dove said, 'Welcom, welcom, May, Gladsom and light to loveres that ben trewe! 1395 I thank thee, Lord of Love, that doth purvey For me to rede this lesson all of dewe; For, in gode sooth, of corage I +pursue To serve my make till deth us must depart:' And than '_Tu autem_' sang he all apart. 1400

'_Te deum amoris_' sang the thrustell-cok: Tuball him-self, the first musician, With key of armony coude not unlok So swete [a] tewne as that the thrustill can: 'The Lord of Love we praisen,' quod he than, 1405 'And so don all the fowles, grete and lyte; Honour we May, in fals lovers dispyte.'

'_Dominus regnavit_,' seid the pecok there, 'The Lord of Love, that mighty prince, y-wis, He hath received her[e] and every-where: 1410 Now _Jubilate_ +sing:'--'What meneth this?' Seid than the linet; 'welcom, Lord of blisse!' Out-stert the owl with '_Benedicite_, What meneth al this mery fare?' quod he.

'_Laudate_,' sang the lark with voice full shrill; 1415 And eke the kite, '_O admirabile_; This quere will throgh myne eris pers and thrill; But what? welcom this May seson,' quod he; 'And honour to the Lord of Love mot be, That hath this feest so solemn and so high:' 1420 '_Amen_,' seid all; and so seid eke the pye.

And furth the cokkow gan procede anon, With '_Benedictus_' thanking god in hast, That in this May wold visite thaim echon, And gladden thaim all whyl the fest shall last: 1425 And therewithall a-loughter out he brast, 'I thank it god that I shuld end the song, And all the service which hath been so long.'

Thus sang thay all the service of the fest, And that was don right erly, to my dome; 1430 And furth goth all the Court, both most and lest, To feche the floures fressh, and braunche and blome; And namly, hawthorn brought both page and grome. With fressh garlandës, partie blewe and whyte, And thaim rejoysen in their greet delyt. 1435

Eke eche at other threw the floures bright, The prymerose, the violet, the gold; So than, as I beheld the ryall sight, My lady gan me sodenly behold, And with a trew-love, plited many-fold, 1440 She smoot me through the [very] hert as blyve; And Venus yet I thanke I am alyve.

_From_ MS. Trin. R. 3. 19, fol. 128; _collated with the print of the same in_ (S.) Stowe's _edition_ (1561). _I note some rejected readings of the_ MS. 1. tym_er_os; tremlyng. 3. poort. 4. none. 9. matere. 10. Poemys; Virgile. 11. Galfride. 15. termys. 17. honoure. 18. wille; S. wil. 19, 20, 23. thowe. 24. the; anone. 25. miste.

28. litill. 29. courte. 30. bene. 31. beseche. 32. whate; nede. 34. woo. 35. soo. 36. myne. 39. kynde. 41. pleasure. 48. courte. 49. mounte. 51. maiestie. 52. sonne. 53. Cupyde; blynde; dignyte. 54. theire kne. 55. bidde; S. bid. in (_read_ on). to pere (_read_ tapere). 56. Marcury. 57. be; S. by. ferre. 58. whate; that it drewe (_read_ to it drew). 59. courte. 60. se (_read_ sey). 61. knewe. 62. courte; nye. 63. full_e_ faste; hie.

64. overtoke; seide. 65. Haile; wende. 66. Forsothe; one; mayde. 67. courte nowe goo. 71. withynne. 74. behelde. 76. bespredde. 77. stone; S. stones. werke. 79. thanne; emerawde. 80. Bales turkes. 82. bene. 83. shone; pease. 84. trespace; tweyne. 86. founde; faste. 87. harte. 88. maste. 89. gynith; S. ginneth. 90. please. 94. whate. 97. discrive; S. descrie. 98. sawe; none. 100. Withynne; oute.

102. sawe; verely. 103. whate; deyses; signifie. 104. floure. 105. yit; S. it. kepte; soioure. 108. obeide. 111, 117. theire. 112. whate; cowde. 113. nere (_twice_). 116. silke. 119. Helise. 121. beseen. 123. theire; sawe; twayn. 124. frett; payne. 125. drynke. 126. ryaltie; S. rialtee. 128. bene. 129. nere. 130. disdeyne. 132. _I supply_ non. 133. ye; S. eye. 134. stode. 136. shapyn liche; darte. 137. Sherpe. 138. shone.

139. Disshivill crispe downe. 140. southly; spake. 141. the; faire. 143. weneth (S. w[=o]neth). howe; eyre. 144. Grete; crafte; grete; delite. 146. occupie. 147. Cithare; nowe swete. 148. spake. 149. worde; harde. 150. myne; aduerte. 151. witte; harde. 152. bewtie; ferde. 154. Whenne. 155. whate. 157. sone. 162. howe; whate. 163. come; whate. 164. sene; Courte. 166. aske; grete. 167. none; come; courte. 171. Mercurius (_see_ l. 56). 172. gentill feire; nowe. 173. whate thowe; S. what tho (i.e. then). 174. youre fre wille. 175. dide; wille.

176. reigne. 177. ease. ioylof; S. ialous (_read_ iolif). 178. Youre dewtie; ferre; canne. 179. courte; youre. 181. knowe. 182. whanne youre fote; spanne. 183. be (_for_ by); wilfull. 184. kepte youre. 185. youre (_often_). 186. motte. 188. S. Amidde the sea. rayne. 189. That(!); S. Then. payne. 190. suche; absente. 191. courte. 192. sone. 193. wille; youre coloure. 194. most bayte. 195. agoone. 196. drawe; Courte. 197. se howe rowhe (S. rough). 198. shewe; se. 199. myne; knele downe; aske. 201. welle; wolle none. 202. Comforte; none; councell; youre ease. 203. wille; thanne. 204. Iche. 207. please howe. 208. myne owen. 209. sprite.

211. the; S. that. 212. worche. 214. benigne harte. 215. myghtes (_read_ might is). 216. lyste; correcte. 217. punyssh; enfecte. 221. gode; founde. 222. grounde. 223. cupide. 225. behild; S. behelde. 226. Seyng. 227. folke; wild (S. welde). 228. Theire; wele; case. 229. shone; wyndowes; glasse. 230. feire. 231. fressh. 232. bewtie. 235. penytyng (!). 237. aboute. 238. howe; feale. 239. stonyed; S. astonied. 240. thoo folke. 241. hade. 244, 245. theire. 246. To (!); _read_ Lo; folke; blewe. 247. coloure.

248. signe. 249. southly. 250. calle. 251. bene. 252. ferre; sherpe. 253. whate done. 254. hermytes. 256. theire woo. 257. goo 258. Frely; suche libertie. 259. eche. 260. none. 261. made. 262. courte; fre; euerichone. 263. wille. 264. arraye. 265. mekely. 266. theire harte. 267. aboute. 268. se; come; high (S. hie). 269. co_m_maunde. 270. -oute; courte; crye. 271. newe; wote; whye. 272. luste; youe sone. 273. Come nere; se; wille mote nede; done. 275. Tremelyng (S. Trembling); hewe. 277. unto the tyme (_om._ the); knewe. 278. yove (S. yeue); trewe. 279. laste. 280. sterne; whate. 281. ferre. 282. courte.

284. coude; espye. 285. myne; eny; myne ye. 286. gane. 287. nowe; submytte. 289. thowe; trewe. 290. seruen(!); thyne. 291. thanne. 292. Thowe shalte. 293. owe youre crowne. 295. sene; euerychone. 296. hie. 297. oure; shewe; one by one. 298. statutis; courte. 299. boke; leide; her (S. their); ye. 300. se whate; most. 301. courte. 302. redde. 303. statutis; courte; halle. 304. firste statute. 307. kynde. 308. coude thynke; harte; wille; mynde. 309. secunde statute secretely. 311. knowe; and (_read_ or). 312. sowne. 315. kynde. 316. thridde statute. 317. _om._ the (_supplied in_ S.). 318. None; woo.

319. brynde delite. 320. Withoute. 323. statute. 324. folke; fire. 325. aboute. 326. hote desire. 327. howe. 328. kepte; displease. 329. ease. 330. statute. 332. squymouse. 333. veryeuly (S. verely); statute. 335. crueltie. 336. harte exilyn. 337. statute. 339. bewtie. 340. thinke; _I supply_ it. 341. thynke. 342. Howe. 343. woo. 344. statute. 347. helden (_sic_). 348. othe. 350. And shewing (_om._ And). 351. statute. 353. hourely laboure; grete attendaunce (S. entte_n_daunce). 354. harte entier.

356. fire; S. faire. 357. debonayre. 358. statute. 361. displease. 363. mekely; yerde. 365. statute; discerne. 367. thynke; arte; yerne. 373. thyne harte. 374. disdayne. 375. the. 376. yf (S. giue); reyne. 377. libertie. 378. ellis. 379. statute. knowe (_read_ con). 380. Ie (_for_ y). 381. lowe; kowigh (_for_ cough). 382. ofte. 383. bring vp (_om._ vp). 384. moche resorte. 385. sporte. 386. statute. 387. payne; haste. 389. thou _or_ thon (S. the_n_); thynke; goo. 392. bette.

393. statute. 394. Whate; please. 395. thyne hartes. 396. think; _I supply_ it; thyne ease. 397. sent (_read_ send); harte pease (_read_ herte apese). 398. letre; devise. 400. statute; shalte. 401. Formely; parte. 402. Wisshe. 403. thy nyghtes hart_es_ wife (_om._ nyghtes). 405. whanne. 406. merely. 408. statute. 409. frende. 410. thynke. 411. shuld. 412. beste. 413. semyth (S. semth). 414. thinke; fayre. 415. Cowde. 416. thinke; wykked (_read_ wikke); appaier. 417. Sklaunderyng; estate. 418. debate. 419. fawte; thyne ye. 421. statute. 422. counterfete. 423. honoure; -whare. 424. _I supply_ for her; boldely. 425. gode; gostely. 426. harte.

428. Agayne; plesire. 429. wille. 430. shalte thowe. 431. crowe. 432. whate; the wille forbidde. 433. Eschewe; souerentie. 434. Hir appetide felawe (_sic_; S. appetite folowe). 435. statute. 436. please. 437. morowe. 438. drynke; thyne ease. 439. thyne; dyssease. 440. wynne; alle. 441. courte; shalle. 442. fewe thynke; statute. 443. reason. 445. please; ofte. 446. none othe; statute. 448. Nowe; garlant; folke. 449. (_From this point, I cease to give minute corrections of spelling, such as are given above._) 451. fel (_read_ ful). 452. delite. 455. hard; statute redde. 458. fonne. 460. In the remembraunce (I _omit_ the). 461. And (_read_ As).

466. It (_read_ Yit). 468. gam; S. game. 469. bidde (_read_ bit). 470. holy. 471. please. 476. mastresse. 481. but(!); _read_ been. 483. the (_for 1st_ they; S. thei). 490. be (_for_ by). MS. savioure(!); S. soueraine. 492. hartes. 495. MS. revowe; S. renewe; _I supply_ all. 497. made. 499. sene(!). 500. wonne; S. won. be (_for_ by).

508. cherely (S. clerely); shone. 510. they (_read_ ye). 517. herkyn. 518. othe; made. 519. loues (!); S. leaues. 523. bene. 524. statute (_read_ statuts; _see_ 520). 525. hie. 526. kepten ben. 527. ecchone. 528. owen. 531. youe; S. yeue. 534. guyse. 535. thengene.

541. be (_for_ by). 542. sugre. 543. hart. 547. youen; S. yeuen. 548. Or; S. Of. yove; S. yeue. 551. widue; S. widowe. 552. Or (!); S. For. 554. guyde. 556. Cithera. 557. _I supply_ the; enfluence. 559. ladis (S. ladies); please. 560. hart; ease. 561. prayer (_for_ pray her). 563. hart. 565. filicite. 574. hote. 575. feele; S. fele.

579. woo. 580. blessedfull; S. blissedful. 581. bene. 582. ponysshe. 583. counterfete. 584. dye; S. deie. 587. Baron (_read_ Barein); S. Barain. 588. alleide. 590. blisse. 592. eternel (_read_ eterne); I-hired (_read_ y-heried). 594. wanne. 595. woman vnto woman (!); S. woman unto man. 599, 613. hartes. 605. _I supply_ to. 608. faute; excercised. 611. celcitude. 614. Compersion; S. Comparison. 615. made.

618. _I supply_ that. 626. godely. 628. Beseche. 632. Lucorne; S. Liquor (!). 634. vse (!); S. vre. 635. harte. 637. blissed; S. blessed. 643. yove (S. yeue); to me (S. me aie, _which seems better_). 644. and nedely most (_om._ and). 648. be (_for 1st_ by). 650. vision. 651. se (_read_ sey). 654. _I supply_ that; shone. 655. fercid.

663. by; S. be. 669. hartes hie. 671. guyde. 673. harte. 674. affeccion. 675. hart; styke. 679. hart_es_. 682. for to (_om._ for). 684. in kepen (!); S. I kepen. 687. preice. 689. harte; peice.

695. ye. 697. wounderly. 698. hie. 699. Who; _read_ Whos. 704. harte. 705. piteously; S. pitously. 708. haue (!); _read_ half. 710. Asslike_n_ (_read_ Aslaken); S. Asken (!). 711. gryfe; S. grief. 714. womanhode (!). 717. meane; ease. 718. owen. 721. please. 724. witte. 725. spryngen (_sic_). 726. dowte. 729. sene. 730. sonne.

731. demeane. 732. spede; S. speke (_a needless alteration_). 733. MS. mir and ioye and blisse; S. mirrour ioye and blisse. 738. abeisen. 740. withouten. 742. is (_read_ as); _supply_ is; youen (S. yeuon). 745. be; S. by. 747. think; S. thanke. 749. the (= þe, _error for_ ye); S. thei (!). 751. fayne. 755. opon. 756. piteously; S. pitously. 757. faier. 758. vertuse (_sic_). 759. heire (!). 760. ote (!); S. hote. 764. godely; whoes.

768. ye (_read_ ee). 769. harte. 770. you (!); S. yeue. 772. grete. 776. toke. 777. harte. 781. lylly. 782. loueliessh (!); S. liuelishe. flawe (_for_ flave). 794. prengnaunte. 800. stand. 801. one. 802. oders (!); S. odours; found. 803. switnesse; S. swetenesse.

806. pease; hidde. 807. bewry; S. bewraie. 808. bidde. 811. her intresse (_read_ here in tresses). 812. kepte (_perhaps for_ kempt). 820. _I supply_ but. 821. _I supply_ yet. MS. alcenia (!). 823. eurosa (!). 825. stode. 828. delite. 832. godely. 834. toke. 840. folowith. 841. _I supply_ the _and_ all. 843. I (!); S. ye.

846. give (!); _read_ grief. 847. harte (!); _read_ harm. 850. mekely. 852. require (!). 856. harte. 857. meke. 862. and me (S. me); _read_ my. 868. rase. 870. delite. 871. please; harte. 872. _I supply_ old. 874. thynkes (_sic_). 876. Eprent (_for_ E_n_prent). 878. becom_m_en. 879. owyn; S. owne. 880. most. 882. yf (= yif); S. giue.

883. one; harte. 884. refute. 886. allegaunce (!). 890. gode wille. 893. cheryssh. 894. gref. 896. southly. 897. and (!); _read_ I. 902. sene (_sic_). 908. vppon; _read_ on. 909. nete (_error for_ note = noot). 910. hete (_error for_ hote = hoot). 911. hart why (_rest of line blank; I supply_ make it straunge). 914. For (!); S. Fro. 915. harte. 918. goddes (S. gods); _read_ god.

921. harte. 922. beganne. 924. _I supply_ lo; nobly (S. nobleye). 927. done (_sic_). 928. growen (_sic_); S. greuen. 939. clere; hatter (S. hotter); ye. 944, 945. done, sone. 946. ye. 948. syke; _read_ seke. 950. serchynne; _read_ serchen in. 951. wynne. 952. abide (_read_ byde); thowe; kynne. 954. guyse. 955. rewth. 956. owen; lawly. 958. thowe. 959. most.

963. Cease (_twice_). 965. optayne. 968. rightwose (!). 970. ye may gise (_or_ gife) this wounder wide (_no sense_). 973. Alas thanne youre (_om._ thanne); crueltie. 974. gote. 975. fostered and Ifedde. 977. Ispedde. 984. arst. 985. spritis. 993. sauf. 994. ar (_for_ er).

998. Aryse anon quod (_om._ anon). 999. nytirtale. 1001. made. 1004. _I supply_ ye. 1006. myne harte. 1007. harte; ease. 1008. please. 1009. steutes (!); _error for_ statuts. 1014. most. 1018. thynke that it (_I omit_ that). 1021. godely. 1023. phelobone. 1027. officers him shewe for (_om._ him shewe). 1030. easy pase. 1031. _I supply_ ther.

1032. felowe. 1033. asperaunce. 1034. stode. 1035. adu_er_sary (!). 1036. displesire (!); _for_ Despair (_see_ l. 1047). 1038. dysseyuene (!); _error for_ dysseyuen. 1039. Throwest (!); S. Trowest. 1041. his (!); _read_ hers; _I supply_ they. 1043. gode; louith. 1048. hote. 1054. dye. 1059. Stode one. 1062. thynketh; S. thinkth. 1063. _I supply_ hool. 1064. synne; begonne. 1065. reason. 1066. delite.

1068. appityde (!); stirre (S. stere). 1069. synne; reason. 1070. _I supply_ dost; do wyn (_read_ to win). 1071. synne. 1072. verely. 1073. synne; vise. 1074. synne. 1076. For verray loue may not thy freyle desire akkele (_too long_). 1077. _I supply_ verray; synne. 1078. pynne. 1081. stode. 1083. woman (!). 1085. beawe. 1089. her; S. here. 1091. godely. 1094. abite. 1097. gode. 1098. sene. 1099. bene.

1106. synne. 1108. hire (!); S. here. 1114. monke; _read_ monks. 1115. course (S. curse); abbes. 1120. aftir than other happly. 1122. libartie. 1124. appetide (!). 1127. matiers (!). 1134. revist. 1136. woo; petiously. 1138. beholde (_perhaps read_ beheld); dispiteously. 1139. ye.

1142. gold (!); _read_ gode _or_ good. 1145. eas; gode. 1146. _Not in the_ MS.; _supplied by_ Stowe. 1150. prange (_and so in_ S.). 1151. woo; boune. 1152. dye. 1156. stode. 1157. ware. 1159. mantaylles. 1161. there; S. their. 1168. shappe; bewtie. 1173. wordes (!). 1176. to endure. 1177. _Sic._ 1179. sent; _perhaps read_ shent.

1182. blissed full (!). 1183. widue. 1184. my (_read_ me); _I supply_ of. 1186. forth (S. for). 1187. ded (_for_ did). 1189. Chife. 1192. hode. 1198. toke. 1199. blasshed (_for_ blusshed); darst (_for_ durst). 1203. And (!); _read_ As. 1205. harte (!); _for_ art. 1206. previte. 1208. gaven (!). 1209. co_mo_naltie. 1211. nede. 1214. thay (_read_ we); secrites (!). 1215. ladys; certen. 1216. _I supply_ per-. 1217, 1218. bryngyn; dispeire; heire.

1222. firste; _I supply_ I; ded vowe. 1228. _I supply_ in. 1229. lond. 1230. withstond. 1233. the (!); S. this. 1235. goith one; wotte; whate. 1236. Yonne. 1237. one. 1242. kynne; lier. 1244. ladys. 1245. vnshitte. 1246. That leith; S. Than lieth; witte. 1248. fantasie. 1250. canne; bette; reason guy. 1251. Be (_for_ By). 1253. soiorne (!); S. soioure. 1255. rokketh (_perhaps read_ rouketh); Cornor (!).

1259. methamorphosees; S. Methamorphosose. 1260. foo; gloose. 1263. hartes. 1269. Stode; ferre; abite. 1270. Yonne; _I supply_ I; sprite. 1271. corious; S. curious. 1275. _I supply_ a. 1277. bote. 1280. ferre; canne. 1285. Nowe; _read_ Me. 1287. kyndelith. 1288. bodely. 1294. from (!); _read_ to; _I supply_ greet.

1299. _I supply_ so. 1302. laday (!); S. lady. 1305. hoote or cold. 1306. withouten. 1307, 1308. harte, astarte. 1311. sene; cortis guyse. 1313. Twenty (!); _read_ Twey. 1316. The tone. 1320. vnto; _read_ to. 1322. sene. 1323. pleasaunce. 1324. shyne (S. shrine); rose. 1325. eke (!); S. eare. 1327. _I supply_ it; blak (_for_ brak). 1328. reiche (_read_ reuth). 1329. and I me; _read_ than I myself.

1331. not (!); _read_ but. 1333. she (_sic_); _read_ thou. 1335. taken (!); S. thanken. 1339. _I supply_ to. 1341. heree (!); _for_ her. 1343. reason. 1348, 1351. season. 1358. bewreye; S. bewrye. 1362. preced. 1363. oure owen. 1365. brenne; hote.

1366. Cely enarant. 1369. thus (!; S. this); hartily. 1375. dye. 1376. yf (_for_ yive). 1377. signe (!). 1382. amoryly (!); sprong. 1383. _I supply_ he. 1384. _Sic._ 1386. maketh; _read_ make. 1387. toke. 1388. _I supply_ as. 1389. mut; dyene; suppe. 1390. gife. 1398. south; purpose (!); _read_ pursue. 1399. most. 1400. tue (!). 1403. on-lok. 1404. _I supply_ a.

1406. light; _read_ lyte. 1411. sang (!); _read_ sing. 1412. lynette. 1416. ki[gh]t; S. kight. 1417. throwe. 1418. season. 1420. solempne. 1425. lest. 1431. goith. 1432. bleme (!). 1434. garlantis. 1435. reioyson; theire grete delite. 1441. smote; thrugh; _I supply_ very; harte.

* * * * *

XXV. VIRELAI.

Alone walking, In thought pleyning, And sore sighing, All desolate, Me remembring Of my living, My deth wishing Bothe erly and late.

Infortunate Is so my fate 5 That, wote ye what? Out of mesure My lyf I hate Thus desperate; In pore estate Do I endure.

Of other cure Am I nat sure, Thus to endure Is hard, certain; 10 Such is my ure, I yow ensure; What creature May have more pain?

My trouth so pleyn Is take in veyn, And gret disdeyn In remembraunce; Yet I full feyn Wold me compleyn 15 Me to absteyn From this penaunce.

But in substaunce Noon allegeaunce Of my grevaunce Can I nat finde; Right so my chaunce With displesaunce Doth me avaunce; And thus an ende. 20

_Explicit._

_From_ Trin. (Trin. Coll. Cam. R. 3. 19); _collated with_ S. (Stowe's ed. 1561). 4. S. death. Trin. wyssyng; S. wishyng. S. early. 5. Trin. soo; S. so. 6. Trin. whate Oute. S. measure. 7. Trin. lyfe; S. life. 8. Trin. In suche pore (I _omit_ suche). S. Doe. 9. S. not. 12. S. Maie. 13. S. truthe; plain; vain. 14. S. greate disdain. 15. Trin. feyne; S. faine. S. Would. Trin. co_m_pleyne; S. co_m_plaine. 16. Trin. absteyne; S. abstaine. 17. S. None. 18. S. not. 20. S. Doeth.

* * * * *

XXVI. PROSPERITY.

Richt as povert causith sobirnes, And febilnes enforcith contenence, Richt so prosperitee and gret riches The moder is of vice and negligence; And powere also causith insolence; 5 And honour oftsiss chaungith gude thewis; Thare is no more perilous pestilence Than hie estate geven unto schrewis. Quod Chaucere.

XXVI. _From_ MS. Arch. Seld. B. 24, fol. 119; _I give rejected spellings_. 3. Ry_ch_t; grete. 7. p_er_ilouss.

* * * * *

XXVII. LEAULTE VAULT RICHESSE.

This warldly joy is only fantasy, Of quhich non erdly wicht can be content; Quho most has wit, lest suld in it affy, Quho taistis it most, most sall him repent; Quhat valis all this richess and this rent, 5 Sen no man wat quho sall his tresour have? Presume nocht gevin that god has don but lent, Within schort tyme the quhiche he thinkis to crave.

_Leaulte vault richesse._

XXVII. _From_ MS. Arch. Seld. B. 24, fol. 138; _I give rejected spellings_. 1. Ioy; onely. 3. leste. 6. wate. 7. done. 9. richess.

* * * * *

XXVIII. SAYINGS PRINTED BY CAXTON.

1. Whan feyth failleth in prestes sawes, And lordes hestes ar holden for lawes, And robbery is holden purchas, And lechery is holden solas, Than shal the lond of Albyon 5 Be brought to grete confusioun.

2. Hit falleth for every gentilman To saye the best that he can In [every] mannes absence, And the soth in his presence. 10

3. Hit cometh by kynde of gentil blode To cast away al hevines, And gadre to-gidre wordes good; The werk of wisdom berith witnes.

_Et sic est finis._

XXVIII. _From_ Caxton's print of Chaucer's Anelida, &c.; see vol. i. p. 46. Also in ed. 1542, in later spelling.

7. Cx. euery. 9. _I supply_ every. 12. Cx. heuynes. 14. Cx. wisedom.

* * * * *

XXIX. BALADE IN PRAISE OF CHAUCER.

Master Geffray Chauser, that now lyth in grave, The nobyll rethoricien, and poet of Gret Bretayne, That worthy was the lawrer of poetry have For thys hys labour, and the palme attayne; Whych furst made to dystyll and reyne 5 The gold dew-dropys of speche and eloquence In-to Englyssh tong, thorow hys excellence.

_Explicit._

XXIX. _From_ MS. Trin. R. 3. 19, fol. 25; _also in_ Stowe (ed. 1561). 1. MS. Chaus_er_s; Stowe, Chauser. 2. Rethoricion (!). 6. elloquence.

* * * * *

NOTES.

§ I. THE TESTAMENT OF LOVE.

The text is from Thynne's first edition (1532); the later reprints are of inferior value. No MS. of this piece is known. Rejected spellings are given at the bottom of each page. Conjectural emendations are marked by a prefixed obelus (+). In many places, words or letters are supplied, within square brackets, to complete or improve the sense. For further discussion of this piece, see the Introduction.